The Dutch organic pig sector has shown strong growth in recent years. Although a significant share of organic of organic pork is exported, domestic consumers are continuing to buy more organic pork. To facilitate organic pig farmers, Wageningen UR and Louis Bolk Institute carry out a variety of research aimed specifically at the sector.

The report contains sector facts, sector aspirations, current affairs and research projects

Vermeer, Herman

English

Organic Eprints

Pigs	 AspirationsBy 2013 the Dutch organic pig sector aims to be at the forefront of sustainable agricultural production, while at the same time providing a consistent economic benefit to all links in the production chain. The sector wants to safeguard animal welfare and at the same time provide high quality meat products.The organic pig sector focuses on:•	  a strong position on North-West European and regional markets;•	  focus on high quality pork;•	  realistic cost prices at farm level;•	  using feed from sustainable sources and re-using waste from the food industry etc.;•	  no more castrating, healthy pigletsand natural housing systems;•	  a 20% drop in feed costs through higher efficiency and different methods;•	  a 50% drop in use of fossil fuels;•	  100% organic inputs;•	  additional rules for the transport of animals;•	  minimal use of medication;•	  reducing emissions from the stables.February	2011Organic	pig	sector	in	the	NetherlandsThe Dutch organic pig sector has shown strong growth in recent years. Although a significant share of organic pork is exported, domestic consumers are continuing to buy more organic pork. To facilitate organic pig farmers, Wageningen UR and Louis Bolk Institute carry out a variety of research aimed specifically at the sector.Dutch	organic	pig	sectorEarly	2009	there	were	about	87	organic	pig	farms	in	the	Netherlands.	The	country	has	a	waiting	list	for	conventional	pig	farmers	wanting	to	convert	to	organic	production.Gross	sales	for	organic	pig	meat	in	the	Netherlands	grew	by	4.4%	in	2009.	Organic	pig	meat	has	become	part	of	the	regular	assortment	in	supermarkets	and	at	the	largest	chain	of	butcheries	in	the	country.	The	share	of	organic	meat	in	gross	pig	meat	sales	Organic	Knowledge	UpdateOrganic Knowledge Updateis	higher	than	anywhere	else	in	Europe.	This	is	partly	due	to	the	strong	chainthat	was	built	in	the	past	few	years.A	discerning	brand	called	BioVarken	(EcoPig)	was	developed	by	the	sector.Current	affairsAnimal	welfare	remains	an	issue	close	to	the	heart	of	consumers.	In	the	Netherlands,	the	Society	for	the	Protection	of	Animals	has	started	a	label	for	meat	products,that	indicates	animal	welfare.	Organicpig	meat	has	the	highest	ranking	in	this	system,	but	other	non-conventional	types	of	pig	husbandry	also	do	well.	This	label	may	impact	the	market	for	organic	pig	meat,	in	a	positive	or	negative	way.Using	non-castrated	boars	has	become	quite	common	in	the	conventional	Dutch	pig	industry,	mainly	as	a	result	of	social	pressure	and	education	by	animal	welfare	groups.	The	Dutch	market	for	boar	meat	is	now	saturated,	however.	Other	European	consumers	are	unwilling	to	move	to	boar	meat,	because	of	fears	of	boar-taint.	This	has	proven	a	challenge	for	organic	boar	meat,	as	parts	of	all	Dutch	organic	pigs	are	exported.	A	new	organic	boar	meat	project	will	be	started	in	2011.Managing	the	carbon	footprint	of	pig	farms	and	reducing	nitrogen	emissions	are	other	important	topics.Pigs•		 Young grass silage	This	project	looks	at	the	composition,	digestibility	and	protein	content	of	wet	silage	for	finishing	pigs.	How	much	silage	is	eaten	and	what	is	the	influence	of	this	type	of	feed	on	the	technical	results?	Contact: Dr Carola van der Peet, Carola.vanderPeet@wur.nl•		 Natural health in pigs	This	project	looks	at	natural	products	to	improve	animal	health.	These	products	come	from	plants,	yeast	or	algae,	for	instance.	Contact: Dr Maria Groot, Maria.Groot@wur.nl•		 Reduction of Ascaris infections in organic pigs	How	can	intestinal	roundworms	(Ascaris	especially)	be	prevented	and	reduced?	Management	measures	and	preventive	use	of	herbs	in	feed	may	contribute.	This	project	aims	to	develop	a	treatment	and	prevention	plan	and	monitor	the	results.	Contact: Monique Mul MSc, Monique.Mul@wur.nl•	  Silages versus compound diets in gestating sows	Feeding	costs	are	high	and	rising.	Silages	may	prove	a	cheaper	option	for	feed-ing	gestating	sows	and	might	be	able	to	replace	up	to	70%	of	compound	diets.	The	digestibility	and	nutritional	value	of	silages	is	looked	into,	as	is	the	uptake	of	silages	by	the	sows.	What	are	the	effects	on	feeding	costs	and	reproductive	performance?	Contact: Dr Carola van der Peet, Carola.vanderPeet@wur.nl•		 Husbandry of organic male pigs	Boar	taint	and	so-called	‘negative	behaviour’	(sexual	and	aggressive	behaviour)	are	seriousbarriers	for	finishing	organic	boars.	This	project	aims	to	find	ways	to	reduce	these	effects	of	non-castration.	Contact: Herman Vermeer MSc, Herman.Vermeer@wur.nl•	  Improving welfare performance in organic husbandry systems	This	project	aims	to	improve	the	welfare	performance	in	organic	husbandry	systems	by	stimulating	measures	in	on-farm	situations.	Improvement	measures	often	demand	an	integrated	approach.	Contact: Ingrid van Dixhoorn DVM, Ingrid.vanDixhoorn@wur.nl•		 Environmental enrichment for organic pigs	Outdoor	areas	in	pens	for	organic	pigs	in	the	Netherlands	are	often	rectangularand	bare.	This	project	aims	to	improve	animal	welfare	and	public	image	by	offering	animals	environmental	enrichment	in	the	outdoor	area.	Contact: Dr Marc Bracke, Marc.Bracke@wur.nl•		 Piglet health: rearing conditions and breeding	The	mortality	of	both	new-born	and	weaned	organic	piglets	is	relatively	high.This	project	aims	to	improve	maternal	behaviour,	housing	conditions	and	looks	at	breeding	options.	Can	we	breed	a	more	robust	pig	with	lower	mortality	rates	in	piglets?	Contact: Herman Vermeer MSc, Herman.Vermeer@wur.nlResearch projects•		 Kool,	A.,	Blonk,	H.,	Ponsioen,	T.,	Sukkel,	W.,	Vermeer,	H.,	Vries,	J.	de	and	R.	Hoste.	2009.	Carbon	footprints	of	conventional	and	organic	pork:	assessments	of	typical	production	systems	in	the	Netherlands,	Denmark,	England	and	Germany.•		 Ruis,	M.,	Pinxterhuis,	I.	and	M.	Vrolijk.	2010.	Update	animal	welfare	status	of	organic	farming	in	the	Netherlands.•		 Napel,	J.	te,	Leenhouwers,	J.,	and	J.	Merks.	2009.	The	supply	of	organic	gilts.•		 	 Bokma-Bakker,	M.,	Bergevoet,	R.,	Napel,	J.	ten	and	M.	Swanenburg.	2009.The	influence	of	husbandry	aspects	on	the	risk	of	disease	outbreak	on	pig	farms	and	the	strengths	and	weaknesses	in	conventional,	biological	and	high	health	systems	(part	1).•		 	 Krimpen,	M.M.	van,	Binnendijk,	G.P .,	Borgsteede,	F.	and	C.	Gaasenbeek.	2008.	Effect	of	some	herbs	as	alternative	for	conventional	treatment	of	Ascaris	suum	in	pigs.	Report.	Wageningen	UR.•		 	 Vermeer,	H.M.,	Borgsteede,	F.H.M.,	Gaasenbeek,	C.P .H.	and	K.	Blanken.	2008.	Reduction	of	Ascaris	transmission	to	pigs	by	cleaning	the	dunging	area:	final	report.	•		 	 Vermeer,	H.M.	and	H.W.J.	Houwers.	2008.	Effect	of	additional	heating,	floor	length,	straw	quantity	and	piglet	nest	accessibility	on	piglet	losses	in	organic	farrowing	pens.	In:	The	world	of	organic	agriculture:	statistics	and	future	prospects.	Proceedings	of	the	IFOAM	World	Congress,	Modena,	Italy,	June	16-20,	2008.•		 	 Meerburg,	B.G.,	Vermeer,	H.M.	and	A.	Kijlstra.	2007.	Controlling	risks	of	pathogen	transmission	by	flies	on	organic	pig	farms	-	A	review.	In:	Outlook	on	agriculture:	a	review	journal	largely	concerned	with	basic	problems	of	agricultural	science	and	modern	techniques	for	dealing	with	them.Literature	Bioconnect aims to further develop and strengthen the Dutch organic sector by initiating and implementing research projects. Within Bioconnect organic entrepreneurs (from farmers to shop-keepers) work together with research institutes, colleges and universities and consultancy organisations. This leads to demand-driven research that is unique to the Netherlands.The Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation sponsors these research projects.Wageningen UR (University & Research centre) and the Louis Bolk Institute together carry out these research projects. About 140 projects dedicated to organic agriculture are currently under way.ContactContact: Herman Vermeere-mail: Herman.Vermeer@wur.nltelephone: +31 320 293 378www.organicholland.comPhotography: Herman Vermeer, Wageningen UR Livestock Research and Suzie Geenen, ImagroEditing / Design / ProductionWageningen UR, Communication Servicese-mail: info@biokennis.nltelephone: +31 317 482 515The innovation network of organic agricultural chains

Organic pig sector in the Netherlands

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