Campaign to ban farrowing crates

Together with Farmwatch we have released a  brand new investigation into pig farming in New Zealand. Using both  hidden camera footage and virtual reality technology, we’ve created a  ground-breaking and New Zealand first look at what life is like for pigs  who are confined to a cage. The footage was obtained by Farmwatch at a pig factory farm in the  Waikato, using both hidden and hand-held cameras. It shows mother pigs  (sows) confined in farrowing crates, in which they are unable to turn  around for weeks on end and can even struggle to lie down. Their extreme  boredom causes them to repeatedly bite at the bars and one sow is shown  desperately trying to escape. The unique immersive experience of viewing this footage obtained by  360 degree-cameras through virtual reality allows a powerful insight  into what life is like for sows imprisoned in farrowing crates. The  footage shows a farrowing crate from inside and the interior can be  viewed from all angles. “Suffering of animals on New Zealand pig farms is sadly common  place. Despite continual public outcries over the years, sows are still  confined in metal cages little wider than themselves, living a life of  misery,” says SAFE campaigns director Mandy Carter. “Virtual reality  will allow the public to experience what NZ Pork would rather they did  not see. Now, with the 360-degree footage, people can see for themselves  and understand the desperation and boredom these animals experience  every day.” Following our earlier campaign, sow stalls (in which pigs were held  throughout their pregnancies), were banned on cruelty grounds in 2010.  Farrowing crates subject sows to the same mental deprivation and  emotional stress. It is time for the current government to take action  to uphold the law in New Zealand and ban these inhumane crates, as the  pork industry has shown it is not going to change without pressure. We are calling for an immediate ban on farrowing crates and have  launched a petition calling on the government to ensure mother pigs stop  being confined in cages.

You Can Help

• Get in touch with us at [email protected] and we’ll send you copies of the petition so you can help spread the word in your area.