Government seeks to phase out fixed farrowing crates

Defra ministers have indicated plans to move away from the use of traditional fixed farrowing crates on UK pig farms.

Further details on how and when these potential changes could be implemented are due to be made public by Defra later this year.

At Defra questions in the House of Commons on 13 November, Green Party MP Adrian Ramsay asked about the planned timeline to move away from the use of farrowing crates and cages in farming.

See also: Heavier pigs and falling prices raise alarms for pork sector

Mr Ramsay also questioned what practical steps would be put in place to support farmers with this transition.

Defra farming minister Dame Angela Eagle said: “We remain firmly committed to maintaining and improving animal welfare and will work closely with the farming sector to deliver high standards.

“The use of cages and other close confinement systems for farmed animals is an issue which we’re currently considering, and as announced by the prime minister, we plan to publish the Animal Welfare Strategy by the end of this year.”

Dame Angela added that Defra would work with industry, to see how it could move away from the use of farrowing crates and create more flexible alternatives that could be introduced in a practical and pragmatic way.

“It’s important also to remember that 50% of the national sow breeding herd actually live freely and aren’t involved in these kinds of cage systems at all, which shows, I think, the way forward.”

Voluntary initiative 

A voluntary industry-led initiative has already been encouraging farm businesses to move towards more flexible farrowing systems, however access to funding to help with the transition remains an issue for the sector.

Labour MP Terry Jermy questioned what financial support would be available for farmers as part of this drive towards higher animal welfare standards.

Dame Angela said: “We are always ready to consider how we can bring about policies that will be set out in the Animal Welfare Strategy when we publish it.

“We’re pragmatic about how we can shift from outdated systems and modernise, and we are proud that we have some of the highest standards of animal welfare in the world.”