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Belgian consumers’ attitude towards surgical castration and immunocastration of piglets

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2023

F Vanhonacker ,
W Verbeke  and
FAM Tuyttens
F Vanhonacker*
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Economics, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
W Verbeke
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Economics, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
FAM Tuyttens
Affiliation:
Animal Sciences Unit, Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries (ILVO), Scheldeweg 68, B-9090 Melle, Belgium
*
* Contact for correspondence and requests for reprints: [email protected]
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Abstract

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In the vast majority of European countries, piglets are surgically castrated in order to eliminate the risk of boar taint, an odour or flavour that can be present when pork from entire males is cooked. However, surgical castration is the subject of much debate and criticism as a result of its negative implications for piglets’ welfare, integrity and health. At present, there is much ongoing research into potential alternatives, among them immunocastration. This practice involves the injection of a vaccine that inhibits the production of the hormones responsible for boar taint. Although satisfactory results are associated with immunocastration in terms of meat quality and production parameters, uncertainty concerning consumer acceptance is often put forward as a key element in the quest for a successful market introduction. This study focuses on consumer awareness of piglet castration and attitudes towards immunocastration by means of a web-based questionnaire among 225 Flemish consumers. We noted approximately 40% awareness of the routine practice of castrating piglets and this limited awareness is accompanied by a moderate level of concern regarding castration, especially in comparison to food safety and other pork production system-related animal welfare issues. Sixty percent of the sample had a general appreciation for the concept of immunocastration, as opposed to surgical castration. Informing consumers about the potential benefits and/or risks from immunocastration did not tend to have much effect in terms of altering their attitudes. Immunocastration did not emerge as a problem in terms of consumer acceptance: special attention should be paid to consumers’ perception of pricing, food safety and the taste of the meat from immunocastrated pigs.

Keywords

animal welfareattitudeconsumer acceptabilityimmunocastrationpigsvaccination
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Welfare , Volume 18 , Issue 4: Proceedings of the 4th International Workshop on the Assessment of Animal Welfare at Farm and Group Level , November 2009 , pp. 371 - 380
Copyright
© 2009 Universities Federation for Animal Welfare

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