Tail docking of piglets prevents tail-biting but does not address its causes. Welfare science strongly supports addressing root causes through enrichment and management instead of routine docking.
Tail docking treats a symptom of poor welfare rather than its causes. Tail-biting is a redirected behaviour emerging from the frustration of pigs' natural rooting and exploration needs in barren intensive environments. Docking piglets without anaesthesia causes acute pain and potentially chronic discomfort from neuroma formation. Systems that address the root causes of tail-biting — providing adequate enrichment, appropriate stocking densities, and functional flooring — demonstrate that docking is not necessary for pig welfare or production. The regulatory failure in EU member states that permit routine docking despite its prohibition reflects the economic difficulty of implementing the management changes that would make docking unnecessary. Welfare advocacy must target both the immediate practice and the systemic conditions that make farmers feel it is necessary.