The Positioning Of Organic Pig Farms In The Landscape Of Alternative Pig Production In France

Summary

A survey was made in organic and other pig farms alternative to indoor housing on fully slatted floor with the aim of describing the different housing systems and of identifying the pig health problems, the possible improvements in animal welfare and biosecurity levels. The answers from 102 questionnaires were analysed with multiple correspondence analyses followed by hierarchical clusterings. Three main types of systems were identified: farms close to conventional farms as regard to the housing premises, farms mainly under the French ‘Label Rouge Fermier’ and with part of their pigs raised outdoors and farms mainly organic, characterized by runners allowing outdoor access (sows, gilts, fattening pigs) and litter bedding for indoor compartments (farrowing sows and weaners) and by more frequent reproduction disorders in sows and a lack of sanitary lock. Our study confirmed a diversity in alternative housing systems but a relative homogeneity in organic systems in the study sample.