Dr. Miguel Angel Higuera
ANPROGAPOR. National Association of Pig Producers. Faculty of Veterinary Science Alfonso X El Sabio
Spain
Biosketch
Degree in Veterinary Medicine from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, UCM. 1995 – 2000
Director of ANPROGAPOR. National Association of Pig Producers.
Associate Professor. Faculty of Veterinary Science Alfonso X El Sabio. Madrid
Professional experience:
2000-2004. Kubus, S.A. Veterinary Technician and R&D development in swine reproduction.
2004-2007. Proinserga. Veterinary technician in the production area and Head of the Insemination Centres.
2007-2010. Technical Director in ANPS (National Association of Select Pig Breeders).
2010-2011. Assistant to the Director in ANPROGAPOR.
2012-present. Director of ANPROGAPOR
Current positions:
Chairman of the Animal Health and Welfare Working Group of COPA COGECA (Brussels).
Vice-Chairman of the Pigmeat Working Group of COPA COGECA (Brussels).
Coordinator Pig Group of FESASS – European Federation for Animal Health and Animal Health Safety
Member of UECBV – European Federation for Livestock and Meat Trade.
European Commission. DG Agri. Expert of the Pigmeat Forecast Group.
European Commission. DG Agri. Expert of the Pigmeat Advisory Group
European Commission. DG Sante. Animal welfare expert. European Platform for Animal Welfare.
European Commission. DG Sante. Animal welfare expert. European Platform for AMR
European Commission. DG Sante. Animal welfare expert. Pig welfare subgroup
European Commission. DG Sante. Animal welfare expert. Labelling subgroup
Speeches in congresses:
More than 50 presentations at national and international congresses.
More than 300 papers in livestock/meat conferences.
Publications
More than 100 publications in journals in Spain, Portugal and Latin America.
Abstract
Evolution of pig welfare
Animal welfare, particularly in pigs, has made considerable progress in recent times. In this respect, the European Union with its clear and compulsory rules has set the way forward not only to improve animal husbandry conditions but also to achieve a greater social connection that represents the day-to-day life on the farm: taking care for the animals.
Perhaps from a social point of view, the way we treat animals on farms can focus on very generic aspects such as cages (or individualized confinement) and space. However, animal welfare goes beyond that and other aspects that do not always have to be improved when implementing animal welfare measures must be considered, such as health risks, increased emissions, increased costs, competitiveness and structural changes in farms that modify farm management and handling.
It is necessary to understand the global developments and the positive and negative repercussions of these developments on the daily management of pig production without forgetting that the sector is at the service of consumer demand and that demand can evolve from being price driven to being discarded if minimum standards of animal welfare are not met.
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