Criteria for the Good Pig Production Award for Chinese producers

Basic Requirements (1-star Award)

Producers must meet the basic requirements to enter the award:

Provide a good environment for the pigs: this includes a reasonable density, comfortable temperature, dry floor in the pen, good air quality, clean drinking water supply, and safe feed.
- Adequate space allowance throughout life for all pigs is strongly recommended:
  - For group-housed sows: 3 m2/sow
  - For free-farrowing sows: 5.9 m2/sow
  - For breeding boars: 5 m2/each
  - For meat pigs, the minimum space allowance in a temperature-controlled house (or for extensive systems with bedding and open barn with natural ventilation):
    - <20kg: 0.34 m2 (0.5 m2)
    - 20-50kg: 0.63 m2 (1.0-1.3 m2)
    - 50-100kg: 1.0 m2 (1.5-1.7 m2)
    - 100-130kg: 1.2 m2 (2.0 m2)
No sow stalls (except in the period between weaning and observation after insemination – maximum 28 days after insemination). Outside this exception period, sows should be kept in small groups (where manual feeding is permitted) or large groups with an appropriate automatic feeding system; sow stalls are not permitted in this period.
If castration is conducted, it should be carried out within 7 days after birth (ideally using an analgesic). If the castration is carried out after 7 days, an analgesic must be provided. Avoidance of surgical castration is strongly recommended.
No high copper, zinc added to the pig’s daily ration. It is prohibited to add additional arsenic preparation to the feed. If additives containing antibiotics are used, a regulated withdrawal time must be followed.
No hormone, antibiotics, high metal, or mycotoxin residues were detected in the pork. (A third-party examining report should be provided.)
Multi-storey systems are not permitted to enter.

Additional commitments for 2 to 5-star Awards

Current policy or commitment to achieve one or more of the following conditions in 5 years:

Piglet Welfare:
- No tail-docking is practiced. Producers must also operate a practical monitoring program and treatment measures to record and alleviate any occasional tail-biting problems.
  - Appropriate enrichment and sufficient space allowance are strongly recommended to comply with the no-tailing-docking policy.
- AND no tooth clipping or grinding is practiced. Producers must operate a practical monitoring program and treatment measures to record and alleviate any occasional udder damage and facial injury to piglets.
- AND castration within 7 days after birth with mandatory use of effective pain relief (anesthesia and analgesia); or no surgical castration is performed. If surgical castration is not conducted, any alternative method (e.g., vaccination) must comply with national regulations and international standards.
No sow stalls are used throughout life
- Short-duration confinement i.e., maximum 4 hours, is allowed for management purposes such as feeding and conducting artificial insemination.
- For group-housed sows, a minimum of 3 m2/sow is strongly recommended.
- Bedding and manipulable materials are strongly recommended.
No farrowing crates are used throughout life
- For existing free-farrowing systems (based on current policy):
  - Temporary crating for management purposes is allowed, for a maximum of 2 hours at a time and a maximum of 5 days.
  - Sufficient pen size, a minimum of 6.9 m2 is strongly preferred (5.9 m2 for the sow and 0.97 m2 for the piglets).
  - Pen design with separate functional areas, such as for nesting, dunging, and a safe piglet creep area, is strongly encouraged.
  - Providing nesting, manipulable, and bedding materials is strongly recommended.
  - Fully slatted floors without adequate solid floor areas or mats are not acceptable.
- For new free-farrowing systems (based on commitment):
  - Temporary crating during an initial learning phase is allowed for a maximum of one year after installation. Temporary crating must be limited to a maximum of 5 days around farrowing.
  - Farms must demonstrate a commitment to zero-day confinement.
  - Sufficient pen size, a minimum of 6.9 m2 is strongly preferred (5.9 m2 for the sow and 0.97 m2 for the piglets).
  - Pen design with separate functional areas, such as for nesting, dunging, and a safe piglet creep area, is strongly encouraged.
  - Providing nesting, manipulable, and bedding materials is strongly recommended.
  - Monitor must be in place (e.g., video camera or trained staff), must be available to ensure the position of the temporary crates remains open at all times (with exceptions as specified above: confinement for management purposes for less than 2 hours; temporary confinement during the initial learning phase).
  - Fully slatted floors without adequate solid floor areas or mats are not acceptable.
Appropriate manipulable material and comfortable flooring, preferably with bedding throughout life:
- Manipulable material must be complex, destructible, and edible, and stimulate activity to be considered acceptable.
- For systems with outdoor access, the outdoor area should be available at all times. An enriched range of areas throughout life is strongly preferred.
- Fully slatted floors without bedding or mats are not acceptable.

GPPA Eligibility and criteria