In the EU, about 75 % of male piglets are surgically castrated (castration without anesthesia allowed within the first week of life). Castration serves to prevent off-odour in meat from male pigs (boar taint).
The practice of castration of piglets causes strong public disapproval, as it is painful and considered a welfare problem. Pork production with entire males has long been regarded as an alternative, but problems with meat quality and welfare issues remain.
Many problems of pork production with entire males could be avoided with immunocastration (Improvac® marketing authorization in the EU in 2009). However, to date immunocastration is not widely used in the EU.
