Gestation crates for pregnant sows are being phased out in many jurisdictions following welfare campaigns. Tracking progress and remaining gaps helps advocates target their efforts.
Gestation crate phase-out represents one of the most significant farm animal welfare campaigns of the past three decades. The evidence is clear that confining intelligent, social pigs in spaces where they cannot turn around for months causes profound psychological suffering. Progress has been made through a combination of legislation, corporate commitments, and consumer pressure. Continued advocacy is needed to maintain momentum, ensure corporate commitments are fulfilled, and extend phase-out requirements to countries where intensive pig farming is growing.