Routine pig tail docking has been banned in the EU since 1994 but remains near-universal in practice, illustrating the gap between welfare law and reality.
Tail docking involves cutting through skin, cartilage, and nerves without anaesthesia in piglets as young as three days old. The procedure causes acute pain and leaves a sensitive stump. While docking reduces tail biting, it does not address the underlying causes — crowding, lack of enrichment, and dietary deficiencies. Addressing root causes prevents both docking and biting.