Thank you to all the constituents who have recently got in touch with me regarding the Pig Husbandry Bill.
I can assure constituents that I very much
share concerns around the welfare of pigs.
I am aware that the government is currently
examining the evidence around the use of cages for all farm animals and is
considering their options very seriously. They have also committed to
continuing to focus on achieving world-leading farm animal welfare standards
through both regulatory requirements and statutory codes.
On pigs specifically, Ministers have clearly
stated that it is their ambition for farrowing crates to no longer be used for
sows. The new pig welfare code clearly states that ‘the aim is for farrowing
crates to no longer be necessary and for any new system to protect the welfare
of the sow as well as her piglets’.
There needs to be progress towards a system
that works both commercially and, most importantly, safeguards the welfare of
the sow and her piglets. The UK is already ahead of most pig producing
countries in terms of non-confinement farrowing, with around 40% of our pigs
housed outside and not farrowed with crates. I do however want us to do more
and faster.
It is certainly worth noting that
the government is already taking strong action to improve animal welfare at
home and abroad by increasing maximum sentences for animal cruelty, banning
third party sales of puppies, and introducing the world’s toughest bans on
ivory sales. Significantly as well the Government has now committed to banning
live animal exports.
If you would like to discuss this further or
any other matter, then please do not hesitate to contact me.
cherilyn.mackrory.mp@parliament.uk
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