Survey on the acceptance of the vaccination against boar taint

In Switzerland, surgical castration of piglets without anaesthesia will be banned after 1st January 2009. After authorization of the vaccine in 2007, vaccination against boar taint provides a possible alternative. The acceptance of this new method by consumers will be crucial for its implementation. Two preceding studies performed within ProSchwein showed a low consent of the vaccination against boar taint by persons with a minimal level of information on the topic. It remained unclear, however, whether the method would be accepted by well informed consumers. Therefore, a third study was carried out in Langenthal which comprised a degustation and a survey among consumers who previously received general information on the actual situation of piglets castration and on possible alternatives and detailed information on vaccination against boar taint.
The sample of 173 interviewees can be considered as representative for the Swiss population. The degustation of meat derived from vaccinated and conventionally produced pigs did not reveal differences with respect to taste and consistence. The question on the preferred piece resulted in equal approval for both. With respect to knowledge on castration of piglets, 22% of the interviewees indicated not to be informed on the topic. 68% of the questioned persons agreed on vaccination as a feasible alternative whilst 15% of them rejected it. Persons who considered the vaccination as comprehensible were more favourable for it. Within the final question regarding the preferred method, vaccination obtained with 56% the highest acceptance.
The results of the survey showed that it is possible to communicate vaccination against boar taint among consumers and that it can reach good acceptance. However, appropriate information is required to a higher extent as compared to better comprehensible or commonly known methods. The present study was not designed to examine acceptance of rearing entire boars or castration under anaesthesia and therefore, it is not appropriate to compare the acceptance within these three methods.