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Filiep Vanhonacker presents Oral paper 35
In session 7: Stakeholders' views on animal welfare
Saturday, 13 September 2008 from 10h00-10h15 in the Aula chaired by Hans Hopster
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Oral paper 35
CONSUMER ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE SURGICAL CASTRATION OF
PIGLETS AND IMMUNOCASTRATION AS A POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVE:
A FLEMISH PRELIMINARY STUDY
F. Vanhonacker 1 , F. Tuyttens 2 , W. Verbeke 1
1
Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent,
Belgium
2
Department of Animal Sciences, Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research, Melle, Belgium
In the large majority of European countries, piglets are being surgically castrated due to the 5 to
10% chance on boar taint in pork from uncastrated boars. In addition, castrated pigs are less
aggressive and express less sexual behaviour. With the exception of some countries, castration is
performed without anaesthesia. Due to a growing societal concern, this practice suffers from a high
level of opposition. Moreover, also the farmers experience the castration as an unpleasant task.
Also in Belgium, surgical castration of piglets without anaesthesia is subject to a lot of criticism. A
lot of research is currently done on possible alternatives, among them immunocastration. This
technique consists of a vaccine that inhibits the production of the hormones that cause boar taint,
and is applied through two consecutive injections with an interim time of two weeks. One of the
possible problems with this technique could be consumer acceptance. In order to gain insights in
consumer knowledge, attitude and acceptance of immunocastration, a web-based questionnaire was
spread to Flemish consumers.
Results are based on a preliminary sample of 212 respondents. 47.6% indicates to be aware of the
routine practice of piglet castration. With regard to the level of concern of this practice, an average
neutral score was found, with 15% indicating to be not at all concerned and a similar percentage
expressing a very high concern. 60% of the sample perceived immunocastration more positive
compared to chirurgical castration without anaesthesia, an opinion which was most strongly based
upon the perception of better standards of animal welfare, pork quality and farmer’s labour. Also,
different messages informing about immunocastration were tested for their impact on consumer
attitude and acceptance. Full results and conclusions will be presented at the conference.
Contact information: Filiep Vanhonacker or email filiep.vanhonacker@ugent.be
Complete address: Department of Agricultural Economics, Ghent University, Coupure links 653, B-
9000 Gent, Belgium
Species: Pig