Producer groups support document New rules will require sows and gilts to be housed in groups or in stalls when provided exercise
Gradual moves toward open hog housing and mandatory pain control for some procedures are among more than 100 requirements contained in the new code of practice for hog production.
The National Farm Animal Care Council released the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Pigs March 6.
It was later than originally scheduled, partly because of discussions and controversy regarding the use of sow gestation stalls and farrowing crates.
The industry had been working on the code since October 2010.
Florian Possberg, the Saskatchewan hog producer who chaired the 17-person committee that developed the code, called it “a significant step forward for the Canadian industry.”
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However, hog producers must now consider the cost of complying with the requirements, and in several cases they have been given time to do so.
New and renovated hog barns must have group housing for pregnant sows and gilts, with some provision for temporary use of stalls immediately after breeding as long as they are large enough for animals to stand without touching the sides or top.
By July 1, 2024, bred sows and gilts must be housed in groups or pens or stalls, although they must be able to periodically exercise in the stalls.
Alberta Pork chair Frank Novak said that provision means producers won’t necessarily have to modify their barns, but they will have to determine the parameters of periodic exercise for their pigs.
“There really is no wording in there that says that we’ll have to change the physical layout of the barn,” said Novak, although he acknowledged new barns will be required to have group housing.
The Canadian Federation of Humane Societies (CFHS), which was represented on the code committee, praised the changes to housing requirements.
However, chief executive officer Barbara Cartwright said the group considers it a step toward elimination of stalls.
“Gestation stalls and stall use in general, we feel, do not provide that level of animal welfare, given the amount of stress and anxiety that they create in the animals,” said Cartwright.
“We advocated strongly to have them eliminated from farming practices. What we’re disappointed in is that farmers were not willing to outright end the use of them.”
Novak said disappointment on all sides isn’t a surprise.
“By definition, since the process was … based on consultation and consensus, you could be sure that everybody would go away being disappointed about something,” he said.
The potential cost of implementing code requirements has been a producer concern throughout the development process.
Cartwright said the CFHS supports spending federal money to help producers move to open housing.
Manitoba Pork chair Karl Kynoch said producers in that province support the code and are “fully committed to the adoption of group housing systems for our sows and gilts in all new constructions.”
The Canadian Pork Council echoed that view in its own news release.
The sow housing controversy has prompted many food companies to establish policies requiring their pork to come from operations that don’t use stalls and crates.
McDonalds, Burger King, Wendy’s and Tim Hortons are among the restaurant chains that have mandated the switch, attributing it to consumer desires.
Novak said consumers have to do their part now that producers are meeting those desires.
“Now we need you to actually support us by making sure that you’re buying our product,” he said.
