pig farming

The Anoxia Foam Technology provides an easier and more humane method of euthanizing non- viable farm animals utilizing nitrogen gas.

he Anoxia technology is a new and better method to euthanize non-viable animals. It contributes to animal “T welfare, but responsible use is vital. Intensive livestock production is studied under a magnifying glass. As a private businessperson, you are responsible for the entire sector.” Pig specialist and vet René Sol from Veterinary Hospital VUG is pleased that the Anoxia method is ready for use. “Anoxia solves a problem. It’s a ground-breaking innovation but pig farmers should be careful to apply the method in their daily operations in the correct manner.”

48 49 Animal welfare as a starting point The Anoxia method originated as an idea from the brothers Harm and Hanno Kiezebrink. Harm invented the technique, and together they developed it and made it ready for practice. “Animal welfare has always been our starting point,” says Hanno Kiezebrink. “Because of my Christian life stance, I feel we must do everything in our power to deal with humans and animals in a responsible way. That is my driving force”. Financial gain is not Hanno’s main priority with the Anoxia A peaceful death method. “I earned enough money with my other company Kiezebrink Focus on Food, “ which is a manufacturer and wholesaler of diets for exotic animals.

Euthanasia with nitrogen gas for non-viable animals “The Anoxia method makes it possible to euthanatize non-viable animals in a manner that is easy to use and humane. Nitrogen gas is an inert gas that does not cause a stress reaction in animals. The Nitrogen euthanizes more animal friendly animal becomes unconscious quickly and then dies due to a lack of oxygen. The alternative CO2 is an irritating gas that negatively afects brain and respiratory functions. When using the Anoxia method, the nitrogen gas prevents animal sufering as it does not irritate the mucous membranes in the eyes and throat which CO2 does causing a fear and fight response in the animal. “ explains Hanno Kiezebrink.

‘Better Than Alternative Methods’ Pig breeder Artin Doppenberg, MD Pig farmer Artin Doppenberg in Putten (Gelderland. The Netherlands) Anoxia Hanno Kiezebrink and has been using the Anoxia method for several weeks (see ‘Animal Veterinarian Rene Sol (left to right) welfare is becoming more and more important’ at the bottom of this judge the pig to be euthanized. article). Doppenberg prefers to euthanize non-viable piglets in a FOTO’S KOOS GROENEWOLD peaceful way and the euthanasia method he uses is important to him. “The Anoxia method is far better than any alternative and I prefer using it when needed. “

BOERDERIJ 102 - no. 51 (19 september 2017) BOERDERIJ 102 - no. 51 (19 september 2017) pig farming ‘The Animal Protection Association does not act as a judge’

The veterinary organization in which the decision support on the basis of a decision- Foam bubbles flled with nitrogen CPD, the Animal Protection tool can play an important making protocol. That With veterinarian Sol and Anoxia Director Association and the Dutch role”. protocol should be ethically Kiezebrink watching, pig breeder NVWA (Netherlands Food correct but the Dutch and Consumer Safety Doppenberg shows how the Anoxia method Bert van den Berg, Program Association for Animal Authority) have responded Manager Cattle Farming, Protection does not promote works in practice. In his breeding house, he positively to the introduction responded to the use of the any specifc method. “ found a non-viable piglet with a bulky head, of the Anoxia method. Anoxia method on behalf of very thin and no colostrum in its stomach. the Dutch Association for Communication manager Doppenberg felt he needed to end the The Collective Practitioner Animal Protection Paula de Jonge responds to piglet’s sufering. “This piglet does not stand Veterinarians (CPD) got to (Dierenbescherming). “We the Anoxia method on behalf a chance and will wither away and die know about the Anoxia should be very careful when of the Dutch Food and slowly over the next few days,” he says. method last year, according proclaiming that something is Consumer Product Safety to General Secretary Hugo de animal-friendly. This also Authority NVWA: “ The NVWA Doppenberg places the piglet to be Groot. “Anoxia’s approach applies to the Anoxia is looking closely and with euthanized in a box of 1,2 x1 meter in size fully complies with the 2007 method. I know the Anoxia interest into the development which is located in the central hallway of the Dutch Animal Afairs method and would like to see of this new method. For a Council’s advice, which barn. Next to the box stands a nitrogen in practice how it works. As year now we have kept in allows the killing of small the Animal Protection touch with Anoxia. It is a gas-flled high-pressure cylinder and a animals on the farm by the Association we are not positive development that container with a mix of water and foaming This piglet has a bulky farmer himself. At that time, a opposed to this method. this company has developed agent that is connected to the box. A foam head, is very thin and decision making tool for the Euthanasia is already a more animal friendly and generator flls the box with foam bubbles. has no colostrum in its farmer and vet already was happening in practice. Pig well-functioning method. It is These bubbles encapsulate 99% nitrogen stomach. The animal included in the advice. In keepers have to deal with a welcome addition to gas. The bubbles being heavier than air will be euthanized. addition, the approach is fully sick and sufering animals on existing methods. Anoxia expel the ambient air and the oxygen in line with the European a daily basis. Euthanasia does meet the strict present. Once the piglet is completely Wildlife Protection Ordinance must be done in the best conditions for welfare of 2009. As a company, possible and justifable requirements of the EU Anoxia BV also takes its manner. The question is: Regulation 1099 from 2009. 50 covered with the foam, it inhales pure responsibility in developing when do you choose to Recently, we have seen the 51 the tool and the responsible euthanize an animal? That method used during the nitrogen and is stunned within half a minute. application of the Anoxia should not happen too easily culling of two layer farms and While being covered with foam, the piglet ‘Animal welfare is becoming of increasing importance’ method. Animal welfare is a and too quickly thus our we will conduct further does not seem to react. After the piglet has constant topic of discussion hesitation. We believe that evaluations together with lost consciousness it dies within two The veterinary year, according to Wildlife Protection Anoxia method and Communication manager in the relationship between euthanasia must take place Anoxia’s management. “ organization CPD, the General Secretary Hugo Ordinance of 2009. As a would like to see in Paula de Jonge responds minutes due to a lack of oxygen. pig farmer and veterinarian, under strict conditions and Animal Protection de Groot. “Anoxia’s company, Anoxia BV also practice how it works. As to the Anoxia method on Association and the approach fully complies takes its responsibility in the Animal Protection behalf of the Dutch Food The Anoxia method has passed its test Dutch NVWA with the 2007 Dutch developing the tool and Association we are not and Consumer Product phase and will be used on eight other pig of working, “ according to Kiezebrink, who are not afraid that animal euthanasia will (Netherlands Food and Animal Afairs Council’s the responsible opposed to this method. Safety Authority NVWA: “ and poultry farms in the following weeks. constantly keeps the NVWA informed about become too easy and may be used for Consumer Safety advice, which allows the application of the Anoxia Euthanasia is already The NVWA is looking The purchase price of the Anoxia method new developments economic gain. “No farmer wants piglets to Authority) have killing of small animals method. Animal welfare is happening in practice. closely and with interest varies according size of the farm and Development of a support tool to aid the be born only to euthanize them later, even if responded positively to on the farm by the farmer a constant topic of Pig keepers have to deal into the development of depends mainly on the size of the container the introduction of the himself. At that time, a discussion in the with sick and sufering this new method. For a decision when to euthanize doing so is made easier, “ says René Sol. or box in which the animals are to be Anoxia method. decision making tool for relationship between pig animals on a daily basis. year now we have kept in The Anoxia method complies with the Artin Doppenberg agrees. “As a farmer, you euthanized. The investment varies between the farmer and vet farmer and veterinarian, Euthanasia must be done touch with Anoxia. It is a requirements of the EU Regulation 1099/ want to keep every piglet on the farm.” The Collective already was included in in which the decision in the best possible and positive development € 5.000 and € 25.000, -. Anoxia BV applied 2009 for the protection of animals at time of Kiezebrink: “Before or after consultation with Practitioner Veterinarians the advice. In addition, support tool can play an justifable manner. The that this company has for a listing under the Dutch ‘Arbitrary killing. “This Regulation is the legal basis for a vet, the farmer can apply euthanasia at an (CPD) got to know about the approach is fully in important role”. question is: when do you developed a more animal depreciation of environmental investments’ our technology. “The NVWA does decide if early stage and thus prevent the animal the Anoxia method last line with the European choose to euthanize an friendly and well- Ruling 2018 to have its users beneft from new euthanasia methods are approved by sufering further. Bert van den Berg, animal? That should not functioning method. It is this tax rebate. law and therefore allowed, but only checks Program Manager Cattle happen too easily and a welcome addition to these against legal requirements, “ says By connecting the Anoxia system to a data Farming, responded to too quickly thus our existing methods. Anoxia Development of a support tool to Kiezebrink, who points out that the use of application tool it is possible to record data the use of the Anoxia hesitation. We believe does meet the strict aid the decision when to CO2 gas as a method of euthanizing and to account for its use.” The three agree method on behalf of the that euthanasia must conditions for welfare euthanize animals is in debate. Euthanasia is intended on the fact that responsible use of the Dutch Association for take place under strict requirements of the EU During the European fpronil egg crisis, this Animal Protection conditions and on the Regulation 1099 from only for non-viable animals. Anoxia Anoxia method is needed. The farmer more animal-friendly way of culling with (Dierenbescherming). basis of a decision- 2009. Recently, we have Veterinarian and Practice Coordinator, ultimately is responsible for that. nitrogen gas was used on two poultry farms. “We should be very making protocol. That seen the method used Annette van der Aa has been working on careful when proclaiming protocol should be during the culling of two “This was done in consultation and with the creating a decision support tool to Bouke Poelsma approval of the Dutch Food and Consumer PROFILE that something is ethically correct but the layer farms and we will determine which animals are eligible for animal-friendly. This also Dutch Association for conduct further Products Safety Authority (NVWA). The euthanasia. This tool is still under Name: Artin Doppenberg (46). Location: Putten (Gld.). applies to the Anoxia Animal Protection does evaluations together with NVWA was present during several cullings development. Veterinarian Sol, farmer Business: Doppenberg keeps 260 sows, 924 fattening pigs method. I know the not promote any specifc Anoxia’s management. “ and monitored the process with great and 9.000 broilers. He is fnishing the construction of a Doppenberg and Anoxia Director Kiezebrink second stable for 924 adititional fattening pigs. method. “ interest. They were positive about our way

BOERDERIJ 102 - no. 51 (19 september 2017) BOERDERIJ 102 - no. 51 (19 september 2017)