Overview

The Pig Husbandry (Farrowing) Bill aims to ban the use of farrowing crates for pregnant and nursing sows in England. The bill sets a phased approach to implementation, with a complete ban by 2027.

Description

This bill makes it an offence to confine a sow in a farrowing crate in England. A "farrowing crate" is defined as a device restricting a sow's movement before, during, and after giving birth. The bill specifies penalties for those violating the law, including imprisonment and/or fines. The ban applies to crates installed after the bill becomes law. Crates installed before the law comes into force will be prohibited from 1 January 2027.

Penalties

Offenders face up to 51 weeks imprisonment, a fine (level 5 on the standard scale), or both.

Implementation

The Act extends to England and Wales and comes into force upon passing. A grace period exists for pre-existing farrowing crates until January 1st, 2027.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly specify government spending figures. However, enforcement and potential compensation schemes for farmers could result in increased government expenditure. The exact cost is yet to be determined.

Groups Affected

• Pig farmers: The bill will significantly impact pig farmers in England who currently use farrowing crates, requiring them to adapt their farming practices and potentially incur costs for new infrastructure.
• Animal welfare organizations: These groups are likely to support the bill as it aims to improve sow welfare.
• Consumers: The bill may lead to changes in pig farming practices that could potentially affect the price or availability of pork.
• Government agencies: Agencies responsible for enforcing the legislation will need to allocate resources to monitoring and enforcement.

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