EU pig producers muddying the water over sow stalls ban
Posted on 20/03/2012
Forecasts presented by the European Commission predict that pig producers are unlikely to comply with Directive (EC) 2001/88 laying down minimum standards for the protection of pigs when it comes into force next year on 1 January 2013.
Adopted by the Council of the European Union in 2001, the new legislation introduces a mandatory ban on the use of individual sow stalls for pregnant sows and gilts during a period starting from 4 weeks after service to 1 week before the expected time of farrowing for all pig producers. Numerours scientific evidence shows that this method of intensive pig farming is the cause of intense suffering to these animals due to insufficient space and lack of foraging and nest building material.
Despite the generous 12 years phase-out period given to producers to comply with the legislation, latest figures show that only 12 Member States should be fully compliant with the law by the end of the year. This is very disappointing and the EU appears to be heading into the same fiasco as with egg producers at the expense of continued animal suffering.
Comments
You’ve had plenty of time. Please put the pig’s welfare before profit.
By Lydia Price on 2012 04 02
That the farmers more than 11 years have had time to adapt is already excessive compensation.
That there are still farmers who say that is too short, that are money-grubbers who care nothing for animal welfare.
They should not get more time, THEY MUST STOP WITH THE PIG FARM. They are not suitable, they are pure blooded animal abusers.
AND WE ACCEPT THAT NO LONGER !!
By H.J. Roozendaal on 2012 04 02
It’s really time to act civilized, do something NOW about minimizing animal suffering!!
By Anneke Andries-van Brussel on 2012 04 02