Gestation crates confine pregnant sows for 16+ weeks of pregnancy in cages too small to turn around, causing one of the most significant welfare compromises in global agriculture.
Gestation crate welfare impacts are severe and well-documented. Sows in crates cannot turn around, fully lie down, socialise, or perform any natural behaviours for the entire 16-week gestation period. Research by agricultural science institutions confirms that stereotypic behaviours, bone density loss, and cardiovascular fitness decline are near-universal in crated sows. Group housing with ESF systems is commercially proven — the EU transition demonstrated that welfare improvement is technically and economically feasible. The welfare case is as clear as any in intensive animal agriculture: an animal confined so severely that it cannot perform basic movements or behaviours is experiencing profound welfare compromise. The global lag in implementing EU-level reforms represents a continuing welfare failure affecting hundreds of millions of animals.