News Blog 10,000+ take action to ban farrowing crates 03-03-25 The movement to ban farrowing crates in Scotland has gained significant momentum, with thousands rallying behind our Stand Up for Pigs campaign. Farrowing crates confine mother pigs in so small that they can barely move for weeks on end. The physical and emotional toll on these sows is immense, as they are unable to engage in natural behaviours or properly care for their piglets. Public demand ban More than 10,000 of our supporters have now emailed the Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity, Jim Fairlie. These emails urge the Scottish Government to consult on phasing out farrowing crates for sows, highlighting the welfare issues of these cages and the widespread public concern over this inhumane practice. Take action Government commitments and delays The Scottish Government has previously committed to consulting on the phase-out of farrowing crates in their 2021-2022 Programme for Government. However, despite this commitment, the recent consultation on phasing out cages for egg-laying hens did not include any proposals to address farrowing crates for mother pigs. In response to the open letter co-ordinated by OneKind and signed by 9 organisations, the Minister confirmed that the Scottish Government ‘remain committed’ to consult on phasing out farrowing crates for pigs. While it is welcome news that the Government do plan on consulting, we’re disappointed that no timeframe has been given. Indeed, it has been years since the Government first committed to consult on phasing out farrowing crates. What's wrong with farrowing crates? Farrowing crates severely restrict the movement of sows, preventing them from even turning around. This confinement can lead to physical issues such as joint problems and painful sores. Additionally, the psychological impact on these intelligent is profound. Sows are unable to engage in natural behaviours like rooting, exploring, and socialising, leading to stress and frustration. Farrowing crates also deny sows the opportunity to exhibit maternal behaviours. In natural settings, sows build nests for their piglets and care for them attentively. The inability to care for their young in a natural manner can lead to increased stress and anxiety. How can I help? We have made it easy for you to act, providing a pre-written email that can be sent to the Scottish Government in just one click. By taking a few moments to send this email, you can help amplify the call for a consultation on phasing out farrowing crates. Take action Stand Up for Pigs and help us make farrowing crates a thing of the past. Manage Cookie Preferences