Perfectly equipped for the Animal Welfare Initiative in pig farming
Since 2015, the Animal Welfare Initiative (ITW) has been promoting improved animal welfare in livestock farming. Through this initiative, the agricultural sector, the meat industry and the food retail sector have committed to their shared responsibility for animal husbandry, animal health and animal welfare.
To participate in the Animal Welfare Initiative, certain animal welfare criteria – which go beyond the legal standards – must be implemented.
New requirements from 2025 onwards
On 1 January 2025, stricter requirements for pig fattening came into force following the alignment of the Animal Welfare Initiative for Husbandry Level 2 with the government’s Husbandry Type 2 (“Stable + Outdoor Access”) under the Animal Husbandry Labelling Act.
In return, participating pig farmers receive a bonus of up to €7.50 per fattening pig.
(Source: ITW 20240816_Information-for-pig-farmers.pdf)
Implementing the ITW criteria not only improves animal welfare but also secures long-term financial benefits for you.
Around 50 per cent of fattening pigs in Germany are already reared in accordance with ITW guidelines. From 2025, foreign pig farms will also be able to participate.
(Source: ITW Facts and Figures)
The benefits you gain from the Animal Welfare Initiative:
- Higher remuneration: Benefit from price premiums offered by participating abattoirs.
- Animal health: Improved husbandry conditions lead to less stress and fewer diseases, increase efficiency and reduce costs.
- Animal welfare: Strengthen the positive image of the agricultural sector and make an important contribution to the welfare of your animals.
What's new?
In addition to the existing basic criteria, the following changes are of particular significance to farmers:
- A bonus scheme for closed-loop production, meaning that piglet farmers now also benefit more from the ITW
- Unlimited duration of participation for farmers
- Increase in space allocation in pig fattening from 10 per cent to 12.5 per cent
- Pen configuration, whereby 3 out of 9 elements must be implemented:
- Contact grids
- Partition walls
- Raised levels
- Microclimate zone
- Lighting conditions
- Scratching posts
- Open drinking troughs
- Soft lying area
- Other elements such as cooling facilities or varied floor design
These new criteria must be implemented throughout the entire farm by 1 April 2025 at the latest.
Kerbl – our solutions for successful implementation
The Kerbl range offers cost-effective and practical solutions in the following areas:
- Open drinkers: Enable pigs to drink from an open water surface
- Scratching posts: Promote the animals’ skin care, thereby improving the health and wellbeing of the pigs.
- Roughage dispensers: Improve the pigs’ gut health through the efficient use of roughage.
- Enrichment materials: Reduce aggression by preventing boredom and providing pigs with mental stimulation.
Stay tuned!
Contact us to find out more about our solutions and to prepare yourself optimally for the challenges ahead. Work with us to shape the future of pig farming – animal-friendly and economically successful.
Adequate water supply: essential for pig farming
Our drinking troughs, complemented by suitable accessories such as drinking valves and connecting pipes, are not only robust and reliable, but also easy to install and maintain. With our products, you can ensure that your pigs always have access to fresh water.
Take a look at our range of drinking solutions and find out how you can optimise the water supply for your pigs with our products.
Open drinking troughs
Under the Animal Husbandry Ordinance (TierSchNutztV), it is a legal requirement that drinking troughs must be provided at a ratio of 1:12 animals.
New ITW 2025 requirement:
Under the new requirements, the ITW stipulates that further additional open drinking troughs must be provided at a ratio of 1:24 animals in each pen.
Scrubbing devices: promoting skin hygiene and health
In modern pig farming, scratching devices are ideally suited to promoting skin care and, consequently, the health of the animals. These facilities allow pigs to scratch themselves, which not only enhances their well-being but also reduces the risk of behavioural problems. A species-appropriate environment is crucial for the health and happiness of the animals.
Our products, such as sturdy scratching brushes and durable stainless steel scratching walls, are specifically designed to meet these requirements. They are easy to install and help to ensure species-appropriate and stress-free husbandry.
Find out more about our range of scratching devices and discover how you can improve the welfare of your pigs with our products.
Requirements for scrubbing devices in accordance with ITW 2025
- Ratio of 1:50 animals
- Angle of inclination 40–60°
- Rough surface, no risk of injury
- Including brush systems that allow for lateral scrubbing
Roughage feeders: Improving digestion and animal health
In pig farming, efficient feed intake is crucial for the growth and health of the animals. A well-planned feeding regime not only contributes to an optimal supply of nutrients, but also promotes the welfare of the pigs.
According to the guidelines of the Animal Welfare Initiative, roughage must consist of fibre-rich, textured feedstuffs that are edible, chewable, inspectable, and can be moved and manipulated. Roughage must be provided in addition to, and separately from, the actual feed. It must also be a different material from the enrichment material.
Furthermore, animals must be granted unrestricted access to roughage, regardless of their size. The roughage must be suitable for the roughage feeding system to ensure adequate feed intake.
Our specially developed hay racks, piglet feeders, feed balls and automatic feeders are designed to meet these requirements. These products promote even and stress-free feed intake, which has a positive effect on the pigs’ development. They are robust, easy to use and help to minimise feed wastage. We therefore offer you the perfect solution for sustainable and successful pig farming.
Discover our extensive range of feeding solutions and find out how you can optimise your pigs’ feed intake with our products. Click here to learn more about our range and improve your pig farming sustainably.
Food bowls and automatic feeders
Occupational material: A must for species-appropriate care
In modern pig farming, providing the animals with enrichment plays a crucial role. Distracting the animals with suitable enrichment activities reduces the risk of stress-related behaviour such as tail-biting. This not only promotes their welfare but also protects their health by reducing the incidence of injuries.
Animal Welfare Initiative requirements:
- Can be explored
- Can be moved
- Can be manipulated
- Organic
- High in fibre
Our cotton and sisal play ropes are specially designed to provide pigs with meaningful and safe enrichment.
Take action now!
Discover our extensive range of enrichment materials and find out how our products can help improve your pigs’ welfare. Click here to find out more about our solutions and optimise your pig farming operations.