Farm

Farrowing Crate Alternatives: Progress and Challenges

Farrowing crates prevent sow movement for up to 5 weeks but protect piglets from crushing, creating a welfare trade-off at the centre of pig welfare reform.

Key Facts

Farrowing crates prevent the sow from turning or expressing nesting behaviour
The EU is proposing to phase out farrowing crates but faces industry opposition
Alternative farrowing systems with temporary confinement are available and increasingly adopted
Piglet crushing mortality in free farrowing is higher in naive sows but can be managed

Welfare Considerations

Total confinement for up to 5 weeks prevents fundamental behaviours and causes frustration, stereotypy, and physical deterioration in sows. Piglet welfare in free-farrowing requires higher management skill but is achievable. The welfare of sows has been systematically under-weighted in this debate.

What You Can Do

Advocate for farrowing crate phase-out with adequate transition support
Support pork producers that use alternative farrowing systems
Choose pork products from producers that are transitioning away from farrowing crates