Britain's farmers could face a fine if they fail to cater for the emotional well-being of their pigs.

Under a new ruling from Brussels, the country's farming community must provide their animals with "manipulable material" to give environmental enrichment.

The European Commission says this includes straw, hay, wood, compost or sawdust.

The aim is to keep animals contented and also prevent them from attacking each other.

With all the serious things going on in farming, they must have something better to do, surely Alison Hart Pig farmer

But one farmer from Wiltshire claims he was told by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the pigs should have balls or toys.

Alison Hart, who farms pigs in Blue Anchor, Somerset, said: "I'm just looking at a calendar to see if it's 1 April.

"If you go abroad and see some of the conditions there, they are not abiding by the conditions that we are all supposed to keep our animals in.

"Our pigs are outdoor and they have plenty of space - as long as they have space, food and warmth they are going to be happy - I don't see the need for this.

'Behavioural needs'

A statement from Defra said: "The regulations tighten up the existing requirements for environmental enrichment... and list certain materials, such as straw and hay, which are particularly suitable.

"The list is not exhaustive and producers are not obliged to use only those listed.

"Objects such as footballs and chains can satisfy some of the pigs' behavioural needs, but can quickly lose their novelty factor.

"So they should not be used long-term unless in conjunction with materials like straw, or are changed on a weekly basis," it added.