Surgical castration of male piglets to prevent boar taint has significant welfare costs; immunocastration and selective breeding offer more humane alternatives.
Surgical castration of piglets without anaesthesia is acutely painful and causes lasting sensitisation. Piglets vocalise intensely during and after the procedure, and behavioural pain indicators persist for hours. The EU has committed to phasing out surgical castration without pain relief; some member states have implemented bans. Immunocastration using Improvac avoids surgical pain entirely and produces pork without taint. Consumer acceptance of immunocastration varies by country. Early slaughter of intact males is practiced in some systems and avoids both surgical pain and taint issues. The welfare cost of castration without pain relief is clear and unnecessary given available alternatives.