Animal Welfare Prize granted by the Finnish Veterinary Association

The prize pays homage to parties who have successfully advanced animal welfare.
It can be granted to one or several individuals or organs who work with animals.

Candidates may be nominated by all members of the Finnish Veterinary Association.

The Animal Welfare Prize was granted for the first time at the Veterinary Annual Conference of 2009. The Association decided to honour the work of responsible pig producers. The Prize was given to Simo and Anne Takku, Punkalaidun, Finland, managers of a breeding piggery, for excellent attention to porcine welfare.

The Takku piggery houses about 80 sows. The managers have taken welfare into consideration already at the planning stage of building the piggery. With careful planning of structures and husbandry procedures, the sows and piglets have been ensured excellent conditions. For instance the sows are free to move about during gestation and farrowing. The farrowing pens are spacious and designed to stay clean and dry. Sows waiting to be bred have ample space. Bedding is used copiously. With practical solutions, the piglets are ensured a draft-free, dry and warm environment. The pigs enjoy good health. A minimum quantity of veterinary medicines is needed. In addition, the farm has effective protection against contamination and contagious diseases, exemplary for a breeding piggery.

The next prize will be granted in 2012.