engleski

"Green deal" as a framework for the development of sustainable pig production in Croatia

The guidelines for the future development of pig production in Croatia should be based on the strategic policies of the "Green Deal". Due to its specific resources, which primarily refer to traditional heritage, land structure and geographical and climatic determinants, Croatia has a unique opportunity to significantly implement the "Green Deal" in its development and strategic guidelines, when talking about the pig sector. Defining alternative production systems, such as deep litter and free range systems, and integrating them into the “Farm to fork” system could profile Croatia and its pig farming as a production area of high-quality pork products, in a way that meets the criteria of pig welfare and health, conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems, survival and retention of people in rural areas, and development of a circular economy with increased productivity. Keeping pigs in deep litter has a number of positive effects. Reducing production costs by constructing cheaper and more functional farms, with positive impact of straw on animal welfare and health, production of significant quantities of quality manure as a key factor in restoring soil fertility, and production traditional high value-added meat products, all that can significantly contribute to better profitability for producers, especially in times of global crisis, as we are witnessing today. Traditional pig feeding systems, which include maximum utilization of the potential of local resources in the production of feed and by- products, can also significantly contribute to better management in crisis situations. Therefore, the focus on production systems in which the emphasis is on product quality rather than intensity and quantity is key for achieving such goal. This would also enable Croatia to position itself on the global market as a place of production of quality and healthy pork and pork products in conditions that are economically and environmentally sustainable and acceptable from the point of view of welfare and health of pigs. Keeping pigs in deep litter and keeping them outdoors are a very suitable production system for use on family farms in Croatia, which should be responsible for the development of pig farming.

Green deal ; alternative production systems ; deep litter ; animal welfare ; sustainability

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