Farm Animals

Pig Welfare: Teeth Clipping Controversies

Routine teeth clipping (teeth resection) in newborn piglets is a contentious procedure with welfare costs and uncertain benefits that remain scientifically debated.

Key Facts

Piglet teeth clipping was practiced to prevent injury to littermates and sow during suckling
Research shows teeth clipping provides minimal welfare benefit to sows while causing pain to piglets
EU guidance discourages routine teeth clipping but permits it where problems exist
Alternative management approaches including fostering and split-suckling can address the same problems without teeth procedures

Welfare Considerations

Routine teeth clipping is increasingly recognised as an unnecessary welfare cost. The pain caused by the procedure outweighs the marginal benefit for sow teat welfare when alternative management approaches are available. Moving away from routine teeth clipping represents a straightforward welfare improvement.

What You Can Do

Support pork producers moving away from routine teeth clipping
Advocate for the removal of routine teeth clipping from acceptable practice in welfare certification schemes
Engage with research on management alternatives to teeth clipping for piglet welfare