Tail docking of piglets is practiced widely to prevent tail biting, but addresses symptoms rather than underlying welfare problems. Understanding the causes of tail biting points toward better solutions.
Tail docking causes acute pain and can lead to chronic neuroma formation, causing lasting discomfort. It is performed as a management shortcut that allows suboptimal housing conditions rather than addressing the root causes of tail biting. The welfare-appropriate response is to prevent tail biting through adequate environmental enrichment, appropriate stocking density, and good air quality — not to remove tails from piglets without anesthesia. The fact that multiple countries have demonstrated routine tail docking is unnecessary with adequate management proves this is achievable. EU law prohibits routine tail docking, yet enforcement has been weak. Welfare standards and market commitments can drive change where regulation has failed.