§ Ms DrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the rate of piglet death in(a) farrowing crates and (b) non-crate systems. [87056]
§ Mr. MorleyWe have, for a number of years, funded research directly or indirectly related to the welfare of the sow and her piglets, from farrowing to weaning. A key issue emerging is that changes in farrowing systems to improve sow welfare can lead to an increase in the death rate of the piglets. As a result, we are not yet able unreservedly to recommend free-farrowing systems for widespread commercial adoption.
Our research, and that of others, continues. Our aim is to reach a position where it is possible to avoid the close-confinement of all sows.