Gestation crates confine pregnant sows for most of their reproductive lives; bans are spreading globally but full elimination remains a distant goal in major producing countries.
Gestation crate elimination is one of the most significant unfinished welfare campaigns in global animal agriculture. The welfare harms of crate confinement — complete movement restriction, behavioral frustration, physical deterioration, and psychological stress — are well-documented and severe. Progress has been real but uneven: European bans are established, US state legislation is accumulating, and corporate pledges have driven some supplier transitions. The largest gap is in Asia, particularly China, where the absence of welfare regulation maintains crate systems for hundreds of millions of sows. Global consumer pressure and supply chain transparency are the most available levers for influencing practices in unregulated markets.