The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has today (Wednesday, April 30) called for a ban on the use of farrowing crates that confine pigs.

According to the BVA these are widely used in commercial farming to restrict the movement of female pigs, before and for weeks after they have given birth, to protect the piglets from being crushed.

New statistics from the BVA's Voice of the Veterinary Profession survey have revealed that nearly 75% of vets are concerned about the impact of farrowing crates on the welfare of pigs, with 36% of these vets saying they were very concerned.

The BVA has highlighted that farrowing crates were introduced in the 1960s with the aim of reducing the number of piglets being accidentally crushed by sows, which can weigh up to 300kg while the average piglet typically weigh less than 2kg.

The association has outlined that the crates are small enough to prevent the sow from turning around by restricting her movement and are commonly used from up to a week before giving birth until the piglets are weaned at around four-weeks-old.

It has said that in the region of 60% of UK sows are kept in farrowing crates during this time.

A fifth of vets (20%) who took part in the survey also warned that they are concerned that the crates are "so small as to inhibit the sows’ ability to perform natural behaviours, such as turning around, moving freely, or going outside".

A further 9% reported being concerned that the crates prioritise the health of piglets over the welfare of sows.

The BVA and the Pig Veterinary Society (PVS) are now calling for a "gradual phase out of farrowing crates" and have made a number of recommendations for change, which includes:

Farrowing crates in their current form should be banned and replaced by a system that maximises sow and piglet welfare and ensures human safety;
A clearly mapped-out 15-year transition period should be implemented and, unless already agreed upon, no more of the current farrowing crates should be put into use;
The stages of shifting away from the current system to the new system must be clearly laid out and adequately funded by the UK government and the governments of the devolved nations where appropriate;
Any transition away must factor in the direction of travel in the EU to ensure symmetry and equal opportunities for UK producers;
UK Government, the governments of the devolved nations, and supermarket retailers should also carry out an awareness-raising campaign around farrowing systems and the incoming changes to inform consumers ahead of the ban and during the transition period.

Dr. Elizabeth Mullineaux, president of the BVA said today that while farrowing crates protect some aspects of the welfare of piglets, it is a "controversial safeguarding method" and comes at the expense of the sows, who are forced to live with restrictions on their natural behaviours and movements for extended periods of time.

"It will however take time for the industry to adapt and we’re recommending a transition period of up to fifteen years, backed by sufficient resource, to support producers to shift to either adaptive farrowing accommodation, with a significantly reduced confinement time for sows, or free farrowing.

"The UK is known across the world for our high standards of animal welfare and we must take action now to move away from this outdated system," Dr. Mullineaux added.