January 8, 2013

EU sow stalls ban takes effect this January

Starting January 1, 2013, the ban on the use of individual stalls for pregnant sows and gilts has taken effect as part of the EU requirements for the protection of pigs.

The latest forecasts provided by the European Commission in December 2012 show that only 16 of the 27 EU Member States are expected to be fully compliant with the legislation, whereas 11 other Member States, despite the 12 years phase-out period they had been given to comply with the legislation, still do not guarantee minimal legal requirements for the protection of sows and gilts.

The European Commission already announced it will launch infraction procedures against non-compliant Member States after January 1, 2013. These are very likely to be included in the January infringements package to be published on January 24, 2013.

Further details of inspections will be provided at a meeting on January 28, gathering stakeholders and representatives from the European Commission and Member States.