Containerised pig transport researched

Containerised transportation of slaughter pigs is being suggested to prevent aggression and social stress when pigs are mixed, which reduces pig welfare and meat quality.

But such alternatives are more likely to be of interest to processors than to pig farmers or hauliers, because of the initially higher costs associated, said Teagasc researchers, who collaborated with Danish, Spanish and Dutch counterparts in the Transus EU project to develop new pig-handling systems.

They looked at use of containers designed to suit the expected pig-group sizes, suitable for handling at the farm and at the slaughterhouse, and for cleaning and disinfection.