Call for higher animal welfare standards for Parma ham pigs

Image source, Tawintaew

It is time for supermarkets to stop selling ham produced by EU farmers that are still banned in the UK.

The crates that confine pregnant sows are used for Parma ham in the UK.

The crates have been banned in the UK but are legal in the EU.

The British Retail Consortium said UK stores were the first to require high welfare standards.

It said that it was more challenging with speciality hams where the UK has a small share of a highly regulated product and the focus is on production methods.

While sow stalls were used, all suppliers had to meet strict welfare standards and use was limited to a maximum of 28 days.

According to the EU welfare legislation, pigs used in the supply of Parma ham were farm animals.

According to its welfare policy, sow stalls are not allowed in its pork supply chain.

One retailer vowed to end the use of sow stalls in any of its pork production. We have led the way for pig welfare in the UK and now we want to make sure sow stalls don't make it to our supply chain.

All retailers, producers and food companies should commit to doing away with the use of confinement crates in pig farming.

Farrowing crates, which are used to confine sows during and after birth to stop them crushing their piglets, are legal in the UK and EU.

"People who pay a premium for products like Parma ham are likely to be shocked to discover that these 'high-end' products are from systems that keep animals in cruel cages."

Animals still spend a significant part of their lives in cages, despite the fact that their farms are no better than standard farms.

The use of sow stalls and farrowing crates is likely to be banned by the European Commission.

There is a partial ban on individual sow stalls in the EU, but they can still be used for the first four weeks of a sow's four-month pregnant period.

stalls allow for better individual feeding, protection from aggressive behavior by other pigs and easier access to veterinary attention.

They leave sows little room to move and unable to perform their natural and motivated behaviors.

In 1999, the UK government banned sow stalls.

The aim of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is to get rid of farrowing crates.

The majority of UK sows give birth and suckle their piglets in farrowing crates, according to the National Pig Association.

According to the NPA, the 1999 sow stall ban resulted in half the UK pig industry being lost, only for it to be replaced by EU pork.