Rural Issue

Stalled Out: The next round in the sow housing fight (Part 3)

 

Pork industry not ready to surrender

The battle between animal rights activists and the pork industry over gestation stalls for sows has been a heated one.  And even though the activists seem to have gained the upper hand, the pork industry is not ready to surrender just yet.  Here’s report number three in Ken’s four-part series on the sow housing issue.

AUDIO: Stalled Out series–third of four reports (1:00 MP3)

COPY:

The Humane Society of the United States has been successful in convincing some of the country’s major restaurant and grocery chains that gestation stalls are inhumane.  As a result, many of them have called for the elimination of stalls from their pork supply chains.  But according to Howard Hill with Iowa Select Farms, who is a veterinarian and president-elect of the National Pork Producers Council, a majority of pork producers still believe that science is on their side.

Many pork producers are still convinced that gestation stalls are what's best for the animal. (Photo courtesy of the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology)

Many pork producers are still convinced that gestation stalls are what’s best for the animal. (Photo courtesy of the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology)

“The individual maternity pens are really designed for the welfare of the animal—to improve the welfare of the animal,” Hill says. “We know that when you mix animals together, they become aggressive—in group situations—and it’s harder to feed them and care for them on an individual basis.”

Sarah Pillen with Nebraska-based Pillen Farms, seems to reflect the attitude of many pork producers on gestation stalls.

“It allows for our sows to be protected—it allows them to have individual treatment—it allows them to make sure they’re getting the correct amount of food,” Pillen says. “It’s a great way to raise a pig—and we truly believe it’s the best way to do it.”

So is the battle over—or might some of those food companies be convinced to soften their stance on gestation stalls?

More on that in tomorrow’s report.

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