Protection Of Pigs

In July 2001, the European Council adopted a Directive amending current legislative rules on the protection of pigs. The new rules remedy the main welfare problems identified in a science-based Commission report on intensive farming. They prohibit the confinement of pregnant pigs to individual stalls and tethering of sows and gilts.  The new rules came into force in January 2003.

The Directive also sets rules to improve the living environment of pigs and piglets, such as a minimum size of sow pens and requires permanent access to rooting materials and fibre food. 

The MEPs were consulted on the text of this Council Directive and urged the Commission to continue it’s efforts to address outstanding issues in intensive farming in the near future.