In an eye-opening article published by Common Dreams, Bruce Friedrich explains that the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) is denying scientific evidence when they defend the use of gestation crates on factory farms.
On modern day factory farms, mother sows are confined in filthy gestation crates, where they are unable to freely turn around, breathe fresh air, lie down comfortably, walk, run, play, or engage in any other natural behaviors. The article states, “when pigs are immobilized in crates, they develop severe mental disorders from frustration and boredom, their muscles and bones waste away, and more.”
Unfortunately, as Friedrich reveals, the NPPC will say anything – even if it goes against scientific knowledge – to justify this common practice. For instance, NPPC Communications Director Dave Warner stated, “So our animals can’t turn around for the 2.5 years that they are in the stalls producing piglets. I don’t know who asked the sow if she wanted to turn around…” He claims that we can gauge the psychological and physical health of a pregnant pig by the number of piglets she produces per birth, which is “at an all-time high.”
But professor and scientific advisor Dr. Donald Broom explains that Warner has it backwards. “Efforts to achieve earlier and faster growth, greater production per individual, efficient feed conversion and partitioning, and increased prolificacy are the causes of some of the worst animal welfare problems,” says Broom.
A recent Mercy For Animals undercover investigation at a Walmart pork supplier revealed cruel practices including the confinement of pregnant pigs to gestation crates. The NPCC isn’t the only force that fuels this blatant animal cruelty. Major corporations such as Walmart also take part by funding this appalling mistreatment of conscious and sentient animals. MFA is now calling on Walmart to take a stance against inherently cruel gestation crates with a national campaign aimed at pressuring Walmart executives to adopt a new policy to require the company’s pork suppliers to phase out gestation crates.
To learn more and take action, visit WalmartCruelty.com.
