Table 1.

Questions included in the survey on pig castration

Open questions

Percentage of pigs castrated

Percentage of pigs castrated with analgesia and anaesthesia

Percentage of pigs castrated with analgesia only

Percentage of pigs castrated without analgesia or anaesthesia

Percentage of immunocastrated pigs

List the anaesthetics and analgesics used for pigs in “your” country.

What are the main obstacles to reach the goals of the Brussels Declaration in “your” country?

Dichotomous and multiple choice questions

In the last 3–5 years, has the number of male piglets that are being castrated under anaesthesia and/or analgesia gone up in your country? (yes, no)

In the last 3–5 years, has the number of male piglets that are not castrated anymore gone up in your country? (yes, no)

In the last 3–5 years, has the number of male piglets that have been immunocastrated gone up in your country? (yes, no)

F1 - Who is allowed to administer anaesthesia/analgesia in your country? (only a vet, farmer)

F2 - Is the method of anaesthesia/analgesia applied practicable and effective? (yes, no)

F3 - In your country, how do you feel the government and stakeholders are working towards complying with the European declaration on pig castration (0: Little is done to meet the goals of the European declaration of pig castration; 1: Working towards it)

F4 - Has an official deadline to phase out castration been set in your country? (yes, no)

F5 - Economic impact of castration under the use of anaesthesia and/or prolonged analgesia and phasing out pig castration? (0: Neglectable / minor cost in relation to other costs; 1: Serious extra cost)

F6 - Welfare impact of castration under the use of anaesthesia and/or prolonged analgesia and phasing out pig castration? (0: negative; 1: neutral; 2: positive)