January 8, 2014

 
Smithfield proposes to phase out pig gestation crate

Smithfield Foods is urging its contract growers to phase out the practice of keeping female hogs in small metal crates while pregnant to group housing by 2022.

Smithfield has been criticised for continuing to breed sows in the crates that severely restrict the animals' movement. The company previously announced that it was phasing out the practice at its US facilities by 2017. It has transitioned 54% of its pregnant sows to group housing so far.

Smithfield's international hog production operations also remain on track to complete its conversion away from gestation crates by 2022.

The Virginia-based company completed its sale to China's Shuanghui International Holdings Ltd in September.