Unfortunately data for 2009 was not published in time for inclusion in the most recent report but from 2005 to 2008, not only has the level of pre-weaning mortality increased slightly from 11 per cent to 12.6 per cent but so has the number of piglets dying in absolute terms – 1.3 million in 2008 compared to 1.2 million in 2005.
Practical experience suggests that significantly lower piglet mortality levels are achievable. Pre-weaning mortality rates are more than two per cent lower in the top 10 per cent of farms compared to the average.
The RSPCA aspires to a reduction in the mortality rate of one per cent a year over the next five years which would save the lives of around 1.6 million piglets over that period. Clearly more needs to be done to try and achieve this despite some progress being made.
Average mortality levels from birth to weaning of piglets
For more information, read the 'piglet' animal welfare indicator.
