Plans to ban farrowing crates and the use of high-concentration carbon dioxide to stun pigs before slaughter have been confirmed by the government. The decisions are set out in the government’s Animal Welfare Strategy – which Defra says represents the most ambitious welfare reforms in a generation. It says current practice has not kept pace with the latest evidence.
Moving away from confinement systems such as the use of pig farrowing crates will improve welfare for farmed animals, says the government. An industry consultation on the issue is expected later this year.
Defra says it will work with the industry to explore how to “transition away” from the use of farrowing crates to alternative systems. These could include either flexible farrowing or free farrowing, suggests the strategy.
Flexible farrowing is where the sow is confined for the crucial few days around farrowing. It currently accounts for about 8% of the indoor sow herd, which Defra says means 92% of indoor herds use farrowing crates. Free farrowing is where there is no confinement during farrowing or lactation.
“We want to work with the sector to move all sows out of farrowing crates over a sustainable transition period,” says the strategy. “Removing the use of intensive confinement systems is an essential component of the government’s plan to ensure all farmed animals have a life worth living, and that as many animals as possible have a good life.”
Caution urged
Animal welfare campaigners have welcomed the decision. But industry leaders have urged caution. The National Pig Association (NPA) said a sensible timeframe would be needed towards flexible farrowing.
Early adopters of flexible farrowing must not be penalised if their systems differ from any future legislative specifications, said NPA chief policy adviser Katie Jarvis. The decision to ban high concentration carbon dioxide follows a report by the government’s independent Animal Welfare Committee which examined potential alternative stunning methods.
Published last October, the AWC report says: “Exposure to high concentrations of CO2 in commercial systems causes pigs to suffer pain, respiratory distress and fear as demonstrated through escape behaviour, gasping and vocalisation.”
The AWC says inert gases are significantly less aversive to pigs than carbon dioxide. “Argon is the most suitable alternative for commercial use, at this time, taking all factors into consideration,” it says.
The NPA says any new approach must be commercially viable to ensure uptake, to ensure meat quality and to prevent any unintended consequences such as slowing throughput capacity, which could cause its own welfare problems.