I recently read an e-mail from Compassion in World Farming about the proposed phasing-out of sow stalls in South Africa. This would be a major step forward in the ethical treatment of commercially farmed animals and as such, I think it is a cause that needs all of the support and publicity it can get. While I'm vehemently opposed to commercial farming, it's not going away anytime soon and as such, I think the farmers who are no longer using sow-stalls should be commended.
Once you had a look at the article, please also contact your local supermarkers to request that they start sourcing ethically-farmed meat. I think engaging the supermarkets on Social Media platforms would have more of an impact. It will only take five minutes of your time but is likely to make a huge difference. Having said that, here's the e-mail:
"Pregnant sows all over the world are being given the right at last to use the legs they were born with! Now 60 000 pregnant sows in South Africa need your voice to help them gain their freedom too.
On 1st January 2013, keeping pregnant pigs in stalls/crates longer than the first four weeks of pregnancy, was banned throughout the European Union.
This means that pregnant sows in the EU will have the chance, at last, to trot around instead of being confined in metal cages which, for the last 50 years, have prevented them from moving forwards, backwards or sideways.
Sow stalls are already banned in the UK and Sweden and are being phased out in Tasmania, NewZealand and Australia.
Compassion in World Farming (South Africa) needs your voice for the 60 000 pregnant sows still confined in stalls in South Africa! These are the breeding sows – the ones that provide the piglets used for ham and bacon. See the torment of their confinement in this video clip taken on the Wine Route in the Western Cape: http://www.animal-voice.org/category/quick-clips/page/2/
The South African Pork Producers’ Organisation (SAPPO) wants 2020 to be the deadline for a phase-out of sow stalls in this country.
Compassion in World Farming (South Africa) suggests that with your help, we can open the stall gates much faster than that!
Some 40 000 sows are already out of stalls in South Africa as a result of consumer pressure (Thank you, Thank you, CIWF supporters for helping us achieve this!)
According to the latest issue of Farmer’s Weekly (4 – 11 January 2013, pages 54, 55 and 56), farmers who are now keeping their sows in small groups on deep litter, instead of in stalls, report that:
· The sows’ legs are stronger and healthier as a result of being able to use them (!)
· They look more contented and enjoy socialising (!)
· There has been no decrease in productivity as was feared and predicted (!)
Please congratulate farmers Rob and Ian Butt who feature in the Farmer’s Weekly article and who have shown that it can be done! Their email address is: buttfarming@bundunet.com
If you eat pork, please ask your supermarket to be in touch with the Butt brothers to source higher-welfare pork."
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