Farrowing alternatives still years away

An acceptable alternative to the current conventional farrowing crate that is both welfare-friendly and economically viable is still "at least 10 years away," according to Andrew Knowles, head of communications at the British Pig Executive (BPEX). He told a meeting in the UK that progress in developing possible alternatives remained slow, despite what he described as "positive efforts" at the research level in the UK and Denmark aimed at devising a new system.
Knowles also said he doubted whether the UK government would impose any changes to farrowing housing on the British pig industry ahead of the rest of the European Union – unlike what happened with gestation accommodation, where the then British administration insisted on a national switch to group penning some years before the EU banned sow stalls.