LONDON—New polling commissioned by leading animal protection organisation Humane World for Animals UK (formerly Humane Society International UK) reveals that more than two thirds (69%) of the British public reject the use of farrowing crates—cages used on farms to confine mother pigs who have just given birth, for weeks at a time—and think pigs should only be allowed to be confined for a few hours, such as for veterinary procedures.
The polling also found that over half (53%) of respondents had not heard of farrowing crates before taking the survey, with a further 19% having heard of farrowing crates but not knowing “much, if anything about them”.
Over 20 MPs and Peers attended an event in the Houses of Parliament this week, hosted by Irene Campbell MP and Humane World for Animals UK. There, politicians heard the case for a phase out of crate use from pig veterinarian Dr Alice Brough and long-term pig farmer Simon Price.
Irene Campbell, Labour MP for North Ayrshire and Arran, said: "Pigs are intelligent, sensitive animals and locking them up in farrowing crates for weeks at a time when they give birth is unjustifiable. I fully support Humane World for Animals' call to ban these cruel cages and hope to see the Government support farmers in a swift transition to crate-free farming."
Claire Bass, senior director of campaigns and public affairs at Humane World for Animals UK, said: “Pigs in farrowing crates endure the most restrictive confinement of any farmed animals in the UK, and they suffer physically and mentally as a result. Unable to even turn around for weeks on end, these sensitive and intelligent mothers are forced to nurse their newborn piglets through metal bars. There is no reason for this cruelty to continue, especially when free-farrowing systems are available and are proven to provide better welfare outcomes for both sows and piglets. Many farmers are ready to transition away from farrowing crates but they urgently need the right policy and financial support from governments to make it happen.”
Over 200,000 mother pigs on UK farms are forced to spend nearly a quarter of their lives in the extreme confinement of farrowing crates, metal cages so small that the animals can’t even turn around. Living in such severely restrictive conditions causes mental distress and physical wounds, such as from repeated rubbing against the crate bars, are also common.
Attendees at the Parliamentary reception were also able to visualise first-hand what mother pigs endure with help from Humane World for Animals’ life-sized replica farrowing crate and animatronic sow.
Humane World for Animals UK is calling for a ban on farrowing crates and for the governments in the UK to support farmers in a transition to crate-free farming.
ENDS
Notes
- Polling was conducted by Survation via online panel between 29th-30th May 2025; sample size of 1,091. Data were weighted to the profile of all adults in the UK aged 18+. Full results available here.
- A previous poll carried out in 2023 found similar results, with fewer than 1 in 5 (19.8%) people supporting the use of farrowing crates.
