VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Pigs: Animal Housing

Asked by Juliet CampbellLabourDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled Answered 2 April 2025UIN 41584

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress he has made on discontinuing the use of gestation cages for pigs.

Answered by Daniel Zeichner

We are firmly committed to maintaining and improving animal welfare and want to work closely with the farming sector to deliver high standards. The UK banned gestation crates (also known as sow stalls) in 1999.

The use of farrowing crates for pigs is an issue we are currently considering very carefully.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim