0
The transition period was extended on a one-off basis until 2013. The CBS agricultural census of 2008 indicates that fewer than 10% of the farms have completed the socially desired investments. However, 60% of the sow farmers have already partially invested in group housing for sows and 23% of the farms with pigs have restricted ammoniac missions. The figures show that only few farmers have taken into consideration the living area norms relating to piglets and fattening pigs which will apply from 2013. Calculations show that around 34% of the pig farms have the potential to invest in all the government measures which will apply from 2013.
As a result of the current regulations, from 2013 welfare in pig farming will improve and the environmental impact of pig farming will significantly decline due to lower ammoniac emissions and lower burden of the manure market. However, this will be at the expense of the number of pig farms, partly due to acceleration of the autonomous restructuring process. Particularly where modifications are required, the investments required to expand the living area and replace slatted floors are relatively high. For many farms, the investments are difficult to finance due to the average low yield prices and income in recent years. This situation is not expected to improve much in the coming years. Furthermore, the pig farmers who can invest and continue their farming will have to accept a much lower income.
http://edepot.wur.nl/134934
