Throughout the UK, pigs are suffering in crates so small that they can’t even turn around. They can only stand up or lay down, sometimes with difficulty, as the crate is barely bigger than their own body. 

Several farrowing crates with pigs inside them.

Currently, around 40% of UK sows are not kept in crates. However, it is crucial that the UK governments implement legislation to achieve a 100% crate-free environment.   

We’ve joined forces with Compassion in World Farming and Humane Society International to call on all UK Governments to put an end to this cruelty and ban farrowing crates. 

Sign the Crate Escape petition 

The Crate Escape petition calls upon the Secretary of State for Defra (England), Agriculture Minister (Scotland), Minister for Rural Affairs (Wales), DAERA Minister (Northern Ireland) to support The Crate Escape, and fully ban farrowing crates from the UK.   

A sow lying in a farrowing crate.

What's wrong with farrowing crates?

A pregnant pig will be placed in a farrowing crate a week before her due date, and she will remain there with her piglets until they are weaned at around 4 weeks.

A pregnant sow will suffer tremendously in these confining crates. 

Not only can she not turn around, she also cannot build a nest for her piglets, which she is strongly motivated to do, nor interact with or care for her piglets (beyond allowing them to suckle through bars). 

What’s the situation in Scotland? 

The majority of Scots support an end to the use of farrowing crates and 63% support the government assisting farmers to move from using farrowing crates to cage-free methods.   

More than 8,600 emails have been sent by OneKind supporters to the Scottish Government, to urge them consult on phasing out farrowing crates for mother pigs. 

Send a pre-written email 

The Scottish Government recently consulted on phasing out cages for laying hens. However, this consultation did not include farrowing crates for mother pigs, despite a commitment in their 2021-2022 Programme for Government to address this issue.  

It is imperative that we hold them accountable and Stand Up for Pigs