Research comparing free farrowing systems with conventional crates is providing the evidence base for policy decisions, showing that well-designed alternatives achieve comparable piglet survival with major sow welfare benefits.
The evidence for free farrowing systems has now accumulated to the point where claiming that farrowing crates are necessary for piglet survival is no longer defensible for well-managed operations. The research demonstrates that appropriate pen design combined with skilled stockmanship achieves piglet survival comparable to conventional crates while dramatically improving sow welfare through freedom from prolonged movement restriction. The EU phase-out scheduled for 2033 reflects this evidence base. The remaining implementation challenge is practical transition support — changing facility design, training staff in enhanced piglet monitoring, and managing the transition period. This is a planning and investment challenge, not an evidence problem. The welfare case for transition is clear; the industry needs regulatory certainty and transition support to implement it.