Safe claims farrowing (birthing) crates and mating stalls were breaching the Animal Welfare Act 1999 as they did not allow sows (mother pigs) to express natural behaviour. Animal rights activists have filed proceedings against the Government over the ongoing use of farrowing crates in pig farms. This is not only cruel but contrary to the intentions and obligations of the Animal Welfare Act... We just want the Government to follow their own rules." The code of welfare was published with oversight from the Government's animal welfare advisor National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee. MPI study on outdoor mortality shows an average of 16.7 per cent deaths compared with 11.9 per cent in farms where farrowing crates are used.

Source: Stuff February 12, 2019 19:48 UTC