{ "type": "mediaitem", "identifier": "mediaitem_2043", "subtype": "wmammodularcontent_gkn_dossier", "title": "Heat stress on farm", "navtitle": "", "url": "/en/eurcaw-pigs/dossier/heat-stress-in-pigs-on-farm-dossier", "language": "en_US", "metadata" : { "id": 18628, "identifier": "mediaitem_2043", "contenttype": "wmammodularcontent_gkn_dossier", "contenttype_title": "contenttype_wmammodularcontent_gkn_dossier", "url": "/en/eurcaw-pigs/dossier/heat-stress-in-pigs-on-farm-dossier", "title": "Heat stress on farm", "lead": "With increasing global temperatures, the risk of heat stress for farm animals is growing. As pigs are not able to sweat and in livestock houses they generally do not have the opportunity to wet themselves, an ambient temperature above the upper critical temperature leads to reduced welfare and performance. This upper critical temperature varies per pig category (including weight) and is considerably lower for lactating sows than for newborn piglets. At high humidity even lower temperatures can lead to heat stress.", "leadimage": { "source": "https://api.groenkennisnet.nl/upload_mm/1/3/c/3601_fullimage_ligcomfort-temperatuur%20%28_wur%29.jpg", "width": 1280, "height": 720, "focuspoint-x": -1, "focuspoint-y": -1, "alternative_text": "", "photographer": "© WUR", "photographer_hyperlink": "", "photo_license": "", "photo_license_hyperlink": "", "source_info": "", "source_info_hyperlink": "", "keywords": [] }, "publication_date": "2023-02-22T16:28+02:00", "lastmodified_date": "2025-09-15T12:08+02:00", "expiration_date": "", "tags": [ "Dossier", "gkn_eurcaw", "English" ], "copyright": "", "external_id": "", "item_metadata": { "contentsubtype": "Dossier", "theme": ["gkn_eurcaw"], "keywords": [], "video_header": "", "contactperson": { "title": "EURCAW-Pigs", "url": "/en/groenkennisnet/person/editors-eurcaw-pigs" }, "experts": [], "link_extra_image": "", "last_update": "2023-02-23T00:00+02:00" } }, "contents": [ { "area": "aboutthisdossier", "title": "About this dossier", "contentarea_template": { "id": "contenttemplate_dossier", "name": "contenttemplate_dossier"},"background": false,"contentarea_leadtext": "This dossier aims to support welfare inspectors and other stakeholders in the field of climate control on pig farms, in particular at high temperatures. The dossier is updated periodically by the EURCAW-Pigs team. The text is not legally binding.","image": { "source": "https://api.groenkennisnet.nl/upload/bbe0a719-a952-400a-83a9-5b47d11b3e57_1.jpg", "width": 966, "height": 459, "focuspoint-x": -1, "focuspoint-y": -1, "alternative_text": "" }, "elements": [ { "type": "text", "html": "

It is based on EURCAW-Pigs’ “Review on heat stress in pigs on farm<\/a>”. Heat stress in all pig categories is described, with the focus on lactating sows and finishing pigs. Useful indicators for heat stress can be environment based or animal based. Room temperature, relative humidity, panting and pig fouling are recommended as the most useful and proven indicators for heat stress. Practical advices are given to prevent heat stress in pigs, beneficial for animal welfare, performance and working conditions.<\/p>

Each EURCAW-Pigs dossier is divided in the following 5 items: 'Legislation', ‘Knowledge’, Tools for welfare inspection’ (Welfare indicators), 'Training courses' and 'Inspiring examples'.<\/em><\/p>" } , { "identifier": "element_540977", "type": "modularcontent", "gkzindexmanual": { "title": "", "gkz_content_id": ["1193583"] } } ] }, { "area": "legislation", "title": "Legislation", "contentarea_template": { "id": "contenttemplate_dossier", "name": "contenttemplate_dossier"},"background": true,"contentarea_leadtext": "There are hardly climatic legal requirements for pigs in the EU-regulations. However, on a national level rules can be stricter, but often formulated as \u201Copen norms\u201D. Directive 98\/58\/EC states that the accommodation should \u201Cnot be harmful\u201D to the pigs, which can only be checked by animal based indicators. However, legal limits are not available in most countries, with difficult enforcement as a consequence.","image": {"error": "no image selected"}, "elements": [ { "type": "text", "html": "

Council Directive 2008/120/EC:<\/h3>

{Annex I, Chapter I, Article 3}: The accommodation for pigs must be constructed in such a way as to allow the animals to:<\/p>