Around one-third to half of the sow population gets replaced, meaning that millions of sows are going for slaughter every year. Reasons may include low performance, lameness, illness, injuries or undesired behaviour. Often cull sows are in a poor condition when they are sent to slaughter. Pig welfare expert Dr Irene Camerlink therefore asks the following question: at what point is it better to euthanise the sow on-farm rather than to put her on a truck?
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