Posted January 14, 2014
Smithfield Foods, Inc. is recommending that all of its contract sow growers follow the company’s lead in converting their facilities to group housing for pregnant sows, according to an article by Global Newswire available here.
Smithfield said it is asking contract growers to convert their facilities by 2022 with a “sliding scale of incentives to accelerate that timetable. Growers who commit to convert to group housing will receive contract extensions upon completion of the conversion.”
Smithfield reported that Murphy-Brown LLC, its hog production subsidiary, had converted 54% of the facilities for pregnant sows on company-owned farms. The company began the transition in 2007 and was the first major pork supplier to commit to transitioning to group housing systems.
Dennis H. Treacy, executive vice president and chief sustainability officer for Smithfield Foods said, “In line with our animal care initiatives and sustainability goals, and in order to meet the needs of our customers, we believe that it is now time to encourage conversion of pregnant sow housing systems at contract sow grower facilities.”
Tyson Foods recently sent a letter to hog suppliers, recommending that farmers provide more space for pregnant sows, according to an Agri-Pulse article available here. The letter is available here.
The letter stated: “Whether it involves gestation stalls, pens or some other type of housing, we believe future sow housing should allow sows of all sizes to stand, turn around, lie down and stretch their legs.”
Tyson will also require contract growers who manage company-owned sows to “end the use of blunt force euthanasia” for sick and injured piglets and encouraged all pork producers to end this practice.
For more information on animal welfare, please visit the National Agricultural Law Center’s website here.
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