Free-range farming is seen as a less intensive system for animal
production, but it does, nonetheless, require stockmanship to be done
properly and effectively with respect to welfare and productivity.
Furthermore, higher incidence of parasitic infection was reported
when pigs are raised with access to outdoor facilities compared to
more conventional production systems (Eijck & Borgsteede, 2005). So,
parameters such as quality of pastures, feed, water facilities, pest and
wildlife control remain important to control disease and contamination
that will lead to increased mortality, loss of productivity and more
carcass waste. Couple of years ago, pork producer associations in
Canada have promoted less severe cooking for whole muscle cuts as
“pink cooking” for customers to enjoy a more pleasing eating
experience. It was deemed safe considering the microbial quality
achieved by producers but such practices would not be recommended
for free-range pigs as less severe cooking can lead to safety issues
when incidence of parasites is increased. Much to proof that new
intervention must be studied thoroughly to avoid introducing
unsuspected risks.