The MS Nitrogen from MS Schippers has won the Pig World New Product Award. Publisher Pig World announed. The judges crowned the new euthanizing device as a winner because of the innovation behind the product. They called it a ‘potential game-changer for piglet welfare, with benefits for farm staff and the wider image of the industry’.
The MS Nitrogen is a euthanasia device that offers an animal-friendly ending for weak piglets. It uses nitrogen, contained in foam bubbles, to ensure a painless death for weak young animals. Luke Roberts, UK account manager at MS Schippers, explains why it is so innovative: “The bubbles keep the nitrogen inside and when they pop the animal will breathe in the nitrogen. Piglets don’t experience distress; the whole process of euthanizing is very gentle and smooth. The animals will fall asleep and then die. The use of nitrogen is a big advantage compared to CO2, where the piglet will suffocate.”
Prior to the development of MS Nitrogen, there was no real alternative to euthanizing piglets. That makes Roberts so passionate about the product. “Every pig farmer knows there is no ethical method. MS Nitrogen can be the end of methods like blunt force trauma. Because this is such a sensitive subject in pig production, producing a sustainable alternative has been challenging. I’m happy we did. Now we have a humane, user-friendly, hygienic, consumer-friendly, and affordable way of euthanizing.” MS Nitrogen offers a sustainable solution. “We believe this is the future in Europe for euthanizing piglets.”
Roberts is very proud that MS Schippers won the award. “Of course, we knew it was an excellent product. The pressure on the pig industry increases, and with this product, we can increase pig welfare.” The UK account manager is happy that the product is now on the British market. “The nitrogen method is now DEFRA Approved, so that’s our final evidence that the product is safe, animal-friendly, and ready for use.” It took MS Schippers more than a year to develop and produce MS Nitrogen. Roberts: “Twenty pig farmers in The Netherlands extensively tested three prototypes.”
This year, the Pig World New Product Award jury included Stewart Houston from Red Tractor, Ben Williams from AHDB, and Alistair Driver from Pig World. The competition was at a high level. AgriSyst with their PigExpert app and Cargill with their feed additive LivaPig finished second and third. There were 23 entries in total, which made up a shortlist of six finalists.
Pig World would present the award at the British Pig & Poultry Fair in Stoneleigh, Warwickshire. Due to the current crisis, this exhibition has been postponed to May 25th and 26th, 2021. MS Schippers has now festively received the award by e-mail.
