Ms Xi Chunling, Executive President of ICCAW commented: "Before launching the Good Pig Production Award, not many people in China were aware of the Five Freedoms of animal welfare. Today industry experts, farm owners and even some consumers know more about pig welfare requirements such as no sow stalls, no teeth-clipping, no tail docking, and the provision of appropriate bedding materials, all because of the Award. It is a remarkable change and demonstrates significant progress in China, the world's largest producer of pigs. Moreover, it has resulted in a very positive effect on the global environment and sustainable agricultural development."

Animal welfare and Food Industry leaders

External speakers at the event included:

Vicky Scott and Kate Moore, Directors, DP Morgan - who presented on Addressing aspects of Pig Welfare in Commercial Practice with a focus on group housing of sows and maintaining sow condition and fertility
Sandra Edwards, Professor of Agriculture at Newcastle University - whose presentation focussed on free farrowing systems for sows
Howard Revell, Production Manager at BQP - who highlighted the successes and challenges of keeping tails on pigs
Kate Parkes, Senior Scientific Officer from the RSPCA - who talked about higher animal welfare standards: auditing and marketing for consumer confidence and purchasing support
Sue Lockhart, Head of Agriculture at Sainsbury's - who described Sainsbury's commitment to sourcing and marketing higher welfare products
Mark Hayward from Dingley Dell Pork - who spoke about securing markets for and marketing higher welfare products

The afternoon session included a 'Farm to Fork' Panel Discussion which opened up the floor to the Chinese delegates to ask questions of the expert speakers to gain further insight on how best to introduce high welfare practices on their farms and how to market their higher welfare products in China.

Celebrating higher welfare for pigs in China