Canadian Pork Council Comments on Gestation Stall Phase Out

February 21, 2007 — 

Claire Schlegel, Canadian Pork Council President, recently commented on the move by Smithfield Foods in the U.S. and Maple Leaf Farms in Canada to phase out the use of gestation stalls over the next 10 years.

According to Schlegel, the Canadian Pork Council (CPC) recognizes the right of these firms to make marketing decisions to respond to their companies' needs. Both firms state that there is no conclusive evidence that one sow housing system is better than another.

Animal welfare involves a host of factors, including housing, management, and barn environment. Sow housing is only one of many that need to be addressed to have optimal animal welfare. The Canadian Pork Council, in 2005, introduced its Animal Care Assessment (ACA) to set minimum standards for care on Canadian hog farms. The ACA addresses critical facets of animal care, including housing.

Schlegel went on to say, "our industry recognizes that some consumers have expressed concerns about current sow housing systems, and the CPC remains committed to taking a leadership role in examining sow housing alternatives. It will be important to fully understand the welfare and management implications of current and new housing systems. Efforts to move to new systems should be supported, but only if the new approaches lead to improved animal welfare."

Source:
Canadian Pork Council