Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

With a starting point in the legislation for organic production set up by the Swedish
certification organization KRAV, the reasons to why these regulations are important is
explained and how pigs are affected by these rules. The study also shows how well the pigs
cope in the organic environment considering the origin of the genetic material; from the
conventional pig population. The conclusion is that pigs do function fairly well in the organic
production environment and the traits affecting their functionality involve: mothering
abilities, strong legs, good meat quality, good sow durability and longevity, capacity to eat
much roughage and dark skin color. There are however still many ways of improving the
organic population of pigs to make them more adjusted to the organic environment; for
example different traits brought into the breeding goals and the choice of good parent animals.