Alternatives to castration of piglets without anesthesia in organic farming - Analysis of the effects of other castration methods on acceptance by consumers, producers and animal welfare organizations
Project Leader: Prof. Dr. habil. Hamm, Ulrich; Prof. Dr. Knierim, Ute
Project participants: Heid, Astrid; Dipl.Biol. M.Sc.Epid Brenninkmeyer, Christine
Project description:
The aim of the project is to analyze the attitudes of consumers, traders and producers towards piglet castration without anesthesia and possible alternatives with regard to their effects on the quality of pork and the purchasing behavior of consumers. Taking into account the views of all stakeholders, the aim is to clarify whether there are prospects for the implementation of alternatives to the castration of piglets without anaesthesia at the private sector level.nine focus group discussions will be held to determine the level of information and consumer attitudes towards piglet castration as well as reactions to various information on castration and possible alternatives. This will be followed by a Vickrey auction to determine the willingness to pay for the various alternatives. At the same time, scientists and representatives of production and trade in six European countries will be interviewed in a multi-stage survey on the status quo and prospects regarding the production, processing and marketing of meat from pigs that have not been castrated without stunning. The results of the investigations will be summarized and discussed in workshops with producers and consultants as well as representatives of processing and trading companies, and recommendations for practical application will be derived from the research results and summarized and published in a final report in a timely manner. The results are important for producers of organic pork, as the decision to ban castration of piglets without anaesthesia (from 2012) means that alternatives need to be implemented quickly. Knowledge of experiences in other EU countries as well as consumer acceptance and willingness to pay in Germany with regard to the various alternatives is important here.
Funded by the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (BMELV)
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