Gestation crates confine pregnant sows individually throughout pregnancy, preventing natural movement and social behaviour. Banned in the UK since 1999, they remain legal in some export markets — creating welfare policy tensions.
UK sow welfare in group housing systems is generally superior to gestation crate confinement, but group management requires skilled stockmanship to prevent bullying and resource competition. Individual sow identification and condition monitoring ensures subordinate sows receive adequate nutrition. The welfare case against gestation crates is clear and legally settled in the UK and EU — sows in crates cannot turn around, engage in social behaviour or express natural exploratory behaviour for months at a time. Trade policy that allows imports from countries using gestation crates creates an unlevel playing field that economically penalises UK farmers who comply with higher welfare standards.