Monday, 9 August 2021

Piggy in the Middle?

It looks as if the UK will follow the EU in banning the use of farrowing crates for indoor housed pigs. Pregnant sows near term, are placed in the crates, in the belief that it reduces crushing of piglets, after she gives birth (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jul/21/saving-the-bacon-will-british-pig-farmers-survive-ban-on-cages). The farrowing crates, however, prevent natural behaviour (e.g. nest building) by the mother pigs. UK pigs cannot always be housed outdoors. The ground can be unsutable. Substantially greater shed areas would be needed for indoor housing of pigs if farrowing crates are banned. UK farmers are worried that the ban would mean, they would be easily undercut by foreign pork producers.
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