The use of stall housing for gestating
sows has come under criticism for being
too restrictive and failing to provide
adequately for the welfare of sows. From 1st
January 2013, a legislated ban was implemented
in the EU, banning the use of sow stalls from 28
days post breeding. In 2007, the largest pork
producers in the USA and Canada pledged to
transition their sow housing to group systems
over the next 10 years. Now, increasing numbers
of food retailers, including Tim Hortons, Burger
King and McDonalds, have pledged to source
pork from producers who have developed plans
for conversion to group housing. In addition the
supermarket chains Safeway and Costco recently
announced plans to develop a stall-free pork
supply chain. Consequently, the Canadian pork
industry is under increasing pressure to convert
existing gestation stall housing for its 1.3 million
sows to group systems.