Sow Stall Free Award Criteria

We are asking companies to eliminate all sow stalls in their supply chain within five years, to be replaced by group housing throughout the dry period (from immediately after weaning and up to one week prior to farrowing, including the observation period).

Short duration confinement may be allowed for management purposes alone, e.g., feeding and carrying out artificial insemination. However, this must be restricted to four hours or less at any one time.

For a successful transition from sow stalls to group housing, where risks of aggression are well managed and sow welfare is optimized, we also strongly recommend a minimum space allowance of 3m²/sow and the provision of some solid flooring with adequate manipulable material and bedding.

Companies must not source pig meat from multi-storey farms. This applies to breeding sows and meat pigs in the category for which you are applying.

Companies are required to have a clear, time-bound and publicly available commitment to phase out sow stalls and to update us on their progress annually.

You must have a commitment to achieve the following within five years: No confinement (sow stalls) during the dry period (i.e. from weaning to one week prior to farrowing, with short occasional confinement allowed for management purposes, for a maximum of four hours at a time.)

You must have a current policy for: No sourcing from multi-storey pig farms

You can apply in one or more of the following categories:

Fresh pork
Fresh sausage
Cured and cooked meats
Further processed or ingredients

If you are a retailer, we will assume you are entering on the basis of your own-label pig meat in the above food categories, EXCLUDING any branded pig meat lines you sell.

Companies can apply via their engagement with the Food Business team and on completion of an application form signed at Director level.

Where an application is made on a commitment basis, companies are required to provide annual progress reports against their commitment. Compassion will maintain regular contact with award winners throughout the commitment period to monitor progress, offer ongoing support, and help ensure commitments are met within the agreed timeframe.

Explore our resources on pig welfare.

If you would like to find out more, please contact the Food Business Team.