PART 5Piglets
34. Where a farrowing crate system is used, piglets must be provided with a source of heat and a solid, dry and comfortable lying area away from the sow where all of them can rest at the same time.
35. A part of the floor area where the piglets are kept, and which is large enough to allow the animals to rest together at the same time, must be solid or covered with a mat, or be littered with straw or other suitable material.
36. Where a farrowing crate system is used, the piglets must have sufficient space so they can be suckled without difficulty.
37. Subject to paragraph 38, piglets must not be weaned from the sow at an age less than 28 days, unless the health or welfare of the sow or piglets would otherwise be adversely affected.
38. Piglets may be weaned up to seven days earlier than the age referred to in paragraph 37 if they are moved into specialised housing which is—
(a)emptied and thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before the introduction of a new group; and
(b)separate from housing where other sows are kept.