PIG WELFARE

Every year, more than 1.3 billion pigs are slaughtered for meat worldwide. Compassion in World Farming has campaigned for years to ensure higher welfare standards for these animals.

As a result of our work, animals are legally recognised as sentient beings within the EU. Thanks to Compassion’s campaign, sow stalls have been banned in the UK since 1999, and will be banned across the EU in 2013.

Despite these achievements we still have so much more to do to protect the welfare of all pigs.

The majority of pigs are reared in intensive, factory farmed systems. These systems include distressing conditions for sows who are often confined in narrow farrowing crates, unable to fully bond with their piglets. Piglets go on to endure a miserable life: having their teeth cut their tails docked, and sometimes being castrated - often without anaesthetic.

Investigations

We conduct investigations to expose the intensive farming industry. Our latest investigation into Europe’s pig farming reveals clear breaches of EU legislation.

The EU Pig Directive

We lobby DEFRA, the European Commission, European Parliament and EU Agriculture Ministers to [enforce the Pigs Directive] to stop some of the routine abuses of pig welfare.

We also make formal Complaints to the European Commission regarding breaches of the Pigs Directive by particular EU countries. This can result in these countries being taken to the European Court.

What food to eat

We're here to show you how simple it is to make the lives of farm animals better through the food you eat. In our Your Food section we give you information about what type of pork to choose when you shop.

Resources

“Compassionate pig farming” Click for more information…