Let's Get Factory-Farmed Pigs Out of Their Cages

by Taylor Leake · 2010-12-06 06:59:00 UTC
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SAFE, a leading animal rights organization in New Zealand, has just landed a great victory. In five years time, New Zealand will ban the use of "sow crates" on pork-producing factory farms. Their use will be strictly limited even sooner than that.

So what exactly are sow crates? Most factory farms confine pregnant females pigs in a small stall (7 feet by 2 feet or thereabout). Because the pigs on factory farms are nearly always pregnant, they spend a huge majority of their life crammed into these stalls. Larger pigs can't turn around in the stalls and are limited to two positions — standing or lying on their stomachs. These types of crates are already banned in the U.K., Sweden, several U.S. states, and are being phased out in the European Union and Denmark.

It is a fantastic victory, but SAFE isn't satisfied quite yet. “It is great to know sow stalls are finally going after so much lobbying and campaigning, but we remain mindful that pigs are not yet free," said SAFE director Hans Kriek. They aren't free because 60 percent of the pig industry still uses farrowing stalls. Like sow crates, farrowing stalls are small enclosures that hold female pigs, but these are slightly wider so they can lay on their side to nurse, with the piglets outside of the crate.

SAFE is focusing its attention on banning farrowing crates now, which Kriek says, "are just as cruel as sow stalls," according to research. Unfortunately, the New Zealand government believes that there are no viable economic alternatives to using farrowing stalls, but has promised to ban them once an alternative exists. SAFE won't stop lobbying the government, but the group is also focused on taking its message to supermarkets across the country. SAFE will be asking grocery stores not to stock pork products from farms that still use farrowing stalls. The organization is also asking folks to put pressure on the New Zealand Pork Industry Board. You can shoot the board an email from SAFE's Web page.

Want even more ways to get involved with SAFE and its animal welfare campaign? Visit SAFE's page explaining how you can get involved by screening movies, lobbying, donating to the campaign, and more.

Photo Credit: dok1 via Flickr

Taylor Leake is a foodie and activist. He's previously worked for Food and Water Watch and Wake Up Walmart.
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