Farm Animals

Pig Gestation Stall Phase Out Progress

Gestation stalls confining sows throughout pregnancy are being phased out globally; group housing improves sow welfare significantly.

Key Facts

Gestation stalls restrict sow movement to prevent turning during pregnancy
EU law banned continuous gestation stall use from 2013, allowing only first 4 weeks
Group housing allows sows to move, socialise, and express natural behaviours
Transition to group housing requires management changes to control aggression
Some US states and major retailers have committed to gestation stall-free pork

Welfare Considerations

Gestation stalls prevent sows from performing fundamental movement and social behaviours for the majority of their reproductive lives, causing chronic frustration and physical deterioration. Group housing systems, despite requiring careful management to prevent aggression, provide dramatically better welfare by allowing movement, social interaction, and expression of natural behaviours. Global progress on stall phase-out represents significant welfare advancement.

What You Can Do

Choose pork certified as gestation stall-free
Support retailers committing to gestation stall-free pork sourcing
Advocate for gestation stall phase-out to be completed globally
Ask food businesses about their gestation stall policies
Support organisations campaigning for group sow housing worldwide