In the U.S., an estimated 6 million sows, or mother pigs, are bred each year to produce litters of market pigs, resulting in hundreds of millions of pounds of pork meat.  

Gestation crates prohibit a sow’s ability to turn around, fully stretch her legs, or walk. Research shows gestation crates prevent a sow from performing many highly motivated natural behaviors, such as foraging, causing the sows stress and frustration, which can be redirected in abnormal repetitive behaviors, like sham chewing and head weaving, as the sows attempt to cope. The restriction on their movement results in physical health issues for the sows, including reduced bone density, diminished muscle strength, lameness and pressure wounds.  

Legislative actions such as California's Proposition 12 and Massachusetts’s Question 3 ban the sale of pork from farms that use gestation crates. There are nine states that also have a production ban limiting the time of confinement during a sow’s pregnancy. However, over 50% of U.S. sows are still solely housed in gestation crates during breeding.  

In response, CIWF developed PigTrack, a tool that promotes transparency and ensures compliance with improvements to sow welfare. PigTrack provides insights into market trends and corporate practices, highlighting the companies already committed to eliminating gestation and/or farrowing crates and their progress toward building fully crate-free supply chains. PigTrack includes a glossary of industry terms, a certification and label claim matrix, a producer and company feature, and 13 companies with sow welfare statements. 

The companies featured are:

• Applegate
• Butcherbox
• Campfire Treats
• Chipotle
• Natural Grocers
• North Country Smokehouse
• Norwegian Cruise Line
• Open Farm
• Royal Caribbean Group
• The Cheesecake Factory
• Thrive Market
• Walden Local
• Whole Foods Market 

In the first U.S. PigTrack report focused on sow welfare, Compassion in World Farming urges all companies to ban crate use in their supply chains and annually report progress toward full implementation of these policies.  

"The U.S. pork industry is at a pivotal moment," said Julia Johnson, U.S. head of food business at CIWF. "Many sows are no longer confined to crates, reflecting a growing commitment to compassionate supply chains. Pigs are intelligent and social, capable of experiencing happiness. Our goal is to support businesses on their journey toward a crate-free future, and PigTrack is essential to that mission." 

Eliminating gestation crates not only improves animal welfare but also allows companies to build trust with consumers by providing transparency on their practices and reports on their progress. CIWF encourages companies to publicly share their advancements in crate-free pork supply chains.

Key features of PigTrack 2024: 

• Educational insights: PigTrack educates businesses on U.S. production systems, relevant state laws and market trends. 
• Corporate commitments: It showcases companies that have committed to gestation and fully crate-free sow welfare policies and those making significant progress. 
• Promoting transparency: PigTrack encourages corporate transparency by pushing for stronger policies and more transparent public reporting on sow welfare improvements. 

“Animal welfare has been at the core of Applegate’s mission for over 37 years and we are proud of the impact that we have made over that time. We value our longstanding farm partnerships that uphold high standards for animal production—supporting farmer livelihoods makes all of this possible,” said Carolyn Gahn, senior director of mission and advocacy for Applegate. “We are honored to be included in Compassion in World Farming’s first PigTrack report.”  

“We believe in enabling better lives for our farmers, animals, partners, team, communities, and you and your family,” said Neil Dudley, vice president of business development for Pederson’s Farms. “Honesty, integrity, and good stewardship are our core principles at Pederson’s, and we take pride in passing them onto you.” 

As the industry evolves, future PigTrack editions will update company progress and highlight leaders in crate-free pork production in the United States. CIWF is committed to improving farm animal welfare and will continue working with businesses to ensure a transition to humane and sustainable farming practices. 

Source: Compassion in World Farming