Confusing state-of-play on sow stalls ban

Posted on 04/05/2012

The European Commission is currently collecting data from EU Member States on their level of compliance with Directive (EC) 2001/88 for the protection of pigs, which among other requirements introduces a ban on the use of individual stalls for pregnant sows and gilts as of 1 January 2013.

Eurogroup has recently received the latest data available (dated 19 March). Despite the generous 12 years phase-out period given to producers to comply with the legislation, these show that only 10 countries will comply with the new legislation by the deadline. However, the European Commission announced on 26 April that 16 countries would comply. This is based on more recent data that only the European Commission has access to.

The current situation is therefore confusing. The EU appears to be heading towards the same situation as last year with the Laying Hens Directive where 12 countries did not fully respect the ban on un-enriched battery cages and at the expense of continued animal suffering. Eurogroup therefore urges the European Commission to take act now and ensure Member States are compliant with the law on time.

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