Belgian animal rights group Gaia filed a complaint to the European Commission against farmers who violate pig welfare, including docking their tails, Belgian media have reported.

According to the Global Action in the Interest of Animals organization's General Director Ann De Greef, requirements stipulating animals' welfare were neglected by many Belgian and EU farmers.

An inspection showed that surgical operations like tail docking were not performed in accordance with the set European standards. Farmers dock the tails so the pigs will not chew them off one another.

Some farmers still tie breeding sows up, denying them free movement, which was amended in Europe in 2006.

Ann De Greef said that Belgium did absolutely nothing to improve an appalling animal welfare.

BRUSSELS, January 21 (RIA Novosti)