Speak up to give pregnant sows the space they deserve.
OAA PROGRAM AREA: Humane Education
ACTION LEVEL: Federal
The Pigs in Gestation Stalls (PIGS) Act of 2023 would amend the federal Animal Welfare Act to permanently ban the intensive confinement of pregnant sows and require each pig to have at least twenty-four square feet of space to allow them to lie down, stand up, and move about freely. H.R. 2939 also would direct the Secretary of Agriculture to direct the National Pork Board to set aside not less than $10,000,000 of the funds collected from assessments to financially assist pig producers in complying with the requirements in each of the first two years after enactment.
This past April, Representative Veronica Escobar introduced the bill, which has been endorsed by more than sixty animal welfare, environmental, and farming groups and has been assigned to the House Committee on Agriculture. Confining sows in crates that immobilize them is demonstrably inhumane and there are widely accepted and applied alternative housing methods. Pigs are sentient beings that feel pain and suffering. They are sensitive, gentle, and smart creatures that are treated with incredible cruelty before they are sent to be slaughtered.
Due to extreme conditions, pregnant pigs are exposed to high amounts of stress and self-mutilating behavior, making them more susceptible to diseases. The PIGS Act will help to establish a level playing field for pork producers. For example, there are currently a dozen states restricting the practice of gestation stalls, pushing retailers to buy pork from only crate-free operations.
What You Can Do:
Contact your U.S. Representatives right now, and urge them to cosponsor and support these bills using the sample letter below.
Share this Action Alert on your social media to raise awareness, educate, and encourage your family, friends, and co-workers in Ohio to contact their U.S. Representatives about these important bills!
Take Action:
Dear Representative ______ ,
I am writing to you in support of H.R. 2939, The Pigs in Gestation Stalls (PIGS) Act of 2023. The PIGS Act would amend the federal Animal Welfare Act to permanently ban the intensive confinement of pregnant sows and require each pig to have at least twenty-four square feet of space to allow them to lie down, stand up, and move about freely. H.R. 2939 also would direct the Secretary of Agriculture to direct the National Pork Board to set aside not less than $10,000,000 of the funds collected from assessments to financially assist pig producers in complying with the requirements in each of the first two years after enactment.
Confining sows in crates that immobilize them is demonstrably inhumane and there are widely accepted and applied alternative housing methods. Pigs are sentient beings that feel pain and suffering. They are sensitive, gentle, and smart creatures that are treated with incredible cruelty before they are sent to be slaughtered. This bill has been endorsed by more than sixty animal welfare, environmental, and farming groups and has been assigned to the House Committee on Agriculture.
Due to extreme conditions, pregnant pigs are exposed to high amounts of stress and self-mutilating behavior, making them more susceptible to diseases. The PIGS Act will help to establish a level playing field for pork producers. For example, there are currently a dozen states restricting the practice of gestation stalls, pushing retailers to buy pork from only crate-free operations. The PIGS Act will help give consumers more confidence about the swine industry’s animal welfare standards.
In summary, The PIGS Act is an important step in holding the swine industry accountable by eliminating the dreadful conditions pregnant pigs are kept in. I urge you to support and cosponsor this important piece of legislation for the wellbeing of pigs.
Sincerely,
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