“We have not estimated the amount, which will have to be used to ensure regulatory compliance. We have been aware of those requirements for a decade and large groups in Lithuania have already prepared,” Algis Baravykas, the director of the Lithuanian Pig Growers’ Association, told the daily.
He thinks that some EU Member States will not comply with these procedures and it is almost impossible to control the process.
It cost around 800,000 litas (EUR 231,884) for the holdings rearing around 80,000 pigs to adjust to the new requirements.
The pig welfare directive sets out many welfare requirements, including the requirement to increase the total unobstructed floor area available to each sow to 2.05 square meters, from current 1.6 square meters.