Sows

The Multi-Stakeholder Action Plan identifies three key barriers to change and provides a clear set of actions to overcome them. The Action Plan underscores the importance of collaboration across the supply chain to drive meaningful and lasting change.

A practical guide on indoor alternative farrowing systems for sows, outlining examples of pens with the potential to operate successfully under zero-confinement, some of which are already in use on commercial farms.

A document summarising our recommendations to producers and companies regarding the elimination of all cages for sows, and highlighting key aspects of a successful cage-free transition for dry and lactating sows.

Infographic outlining our corporate cage-free ask for sows

An Infographic explaining the key features for a successful free farrowing system

A summary of our technical information sheet on the topic in a simpler, easy to read format.

Commercial farrowing systems predominantly operate indoor confinement crates or outdoor arks, which represent the two extremes of sow restraint, substrate provision and environmental control. Both systems perform similarly with regards to mortality of piglets born alive, averaging 12.30% and 12.85%, respectively (BPEX, 2009). Approximately 92% of sows in 14 European countries were farrowing in crates by the late 1990’s (Hendriks et al., 1998); the system raises welfare issues for both sows and piglets, and there is growing pressure for discontinuing its use (RSPCA, 2011; CIWF 2006). Realistic estimates suggest 25% the UK national herd are kept outdoors (BPEX, 2008), whereas in France, less than 1% of pig production is outdoors (IFIP, 2011). Indoor, commercially viable alternatives to the confinement crate are required. Despite many years of research into alternative farrowing systems, and some success with Schmid pens (Weber et al., 2007), clear

Recommendations for commercially viable alternatives have been limited, until recently (Baxter et al., 2011; Edwards and Baxter, 2010).

Case study about supply chain partners Waitrose, their UK supplier Winterbotham Darby and their Italian partner Fumagalli, and how they are running a commercially successful free farrowing system in Italy’s pig sector.