Spain: Adapting pig farms to animal welfare requirements will cost 300,000 euros per farmer

The agricultural organizations ASAJA and COAG have requested a three-year extension for the implementation of Royal Decree 159/2023, which sets new animal welfare standards for Spanish pig farms. This extension aims to allow a gradual adaptation to avoid a sharp decline in production and to align with potential EU regulation changes. The decree requires increased space per animal, leading to significant costs and potential production losses. The organizations are also seeking specific aid and a coordinated plan to help farmers meet the new standards and manage administrative challenges related to farm expansion.

The agricultural professional organizations, ASAJA and COAG, have requested the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for an extension of three additional years (until January 9, 2028) for the entry into force of Royal Decree 159/2023 that establishes new welfare requirements. animal for Spanish pig farms. This extension would allow, according to the agricultural associations, gradual and orderly adaptation by making a correct adaptation to the new requirements without a drastic drop in production. It is estimated that the implementation of RD 159/2023 and the new space density requirements per animal will mean a loss of between 4 and 8 million fattened pigs per year, depending on the method of calculating the useful surface and the acceptance of rounding by corral. The reduction in places ranges between 7.06% and 16.34%. Likewise, the extension would guarantee alignment with European Regulations, by waiting for the debates and possible changes in Directive 120/2008 to ...