Overview of standards

Tethering of sows prohibited and use of sow stalls restricted to the first 4 weeks of pregnancy (farrowing crates permitted)
Pregnant sows must be given sufficient fibrous or bulky food, as well as high energy food
Nesting material must be provided to sows before farrowing
At least 1.3m² per sow area must be continuous flooring
Pigs must have permanent access to a sufficient quantity of material to enable proper investigation and manipulation activities, such as straw, hay, wood, sawdust, mushroom compost, peat or a mixture of such (pigs are typically reared in barren environments regardless of this law)
Routine tail docking and teeth clipping and grinding is prohibited (but commonly practiced)
Surgical castration permitted up to 7 days of age
Minimum space allowance prescribed by weights
Piglets typically weaned at 28 days (minimum 3 weeks)

Sow stalls and farrowing crates banned
Provision of ample bedding material
Pigs must have access to pasture or an open-air exercise area or an open-air run. The final fattening stage (maximum 1/5 of total lifetime) can take place indoors
Piglets weaned at 40 days
Routine tail docking prohibited
Greater space allowance given compared to EU conventional legislation – specified by weights

Sows are outdoors where crates and stalls are not used. The piglets are then brought indoors for fattening at weaning (around 3-4 weeks old).

'Outdoor reared' means the meat pigs are reared outside for around half their lives (approximately 3 months). During this time they won’t necessarily have access to pasture, but will be kept in an outside pen. Throughout their lives they should have access to plenty of bedding such as straw. Sows are outdoors where crates and stalls are not used.

There is no legal definition but should mean born and reared outdoors throughout life