Overview

The Pig Husbandry (Farrowing) Bill aims to ban the use of farrowing crates for sows in England. This legislation seeks to improve animal welfare by preventing the confinement of pregnant pigs in these restrictive devices.

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 who violate the law, including imprisonment for up to 51 weeks and/or a fine. New farrowing crates installed after the bill becomes law are immediately considered "qualifying farrowing crates" and therefore illegal. Existing farrowing crates become illegal from 1 January 2027.

Key Aspects:

• Offence: Confining a sow in a qualifying farrowing crate.
• Penalties: Up to 51 weeks imprisonment and/or a fine.
• Enforcement: Applies to England only, coming into force upon passing.
• Phased Implementation: Existing crates are banned from 1 January 2027.

Government Spending

The bill does not include specific figures regarding government spending. The cost of enforcement and potential support for farmers transitioning away from farrowing crates would need to be determined separately.

Groups Affected

This bill primarily affects:

• Pig farmers: They will need to adapt their farming practices to comply with the ban, potentially incurring costs for replacing farrowing crates and altering their facilities.
• Animal welfare organizations: They will likely see this as a positive development, though enforcement will be crucial.
• Consumers: The cost of pork could potentially increase due to the changes in farming practices.

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