September 9, 2024 (Winnipeg)- In 2014, due to public pressure the Canadian pork industry vowed to phase out gestation stalls by July 1st2024 and enshrined that date in the National Farm Animal Care Council Codes of Practice. The industry later granted itself an extension to 2029 but the July 1, 2024, date remains in the codes which are legally binding under Manitoba’s Animal Care Act. This means some Manitoba producers are in violation of provincial legislation. According to Manitoba Pork about half of the sows in Manitoba remain confined to gestation stalls. Why is the government allowing some hog producers to break the law? We are asking for more oversight and accountability in this cruel industry!
Gestation stalls, known as one of the most inhumane practices in agriculture, are so small that for their entire adult life a pig can only take a step forward and backwards. Pigs must eat, sleep, urinate and defecate in that tiny space. “Confining pigs, animals ranked more intelligent than dogs, to what are essentially cages not much larger than their body is in direct conflict with their natural instincts to build nests, forage, root, and play”, states Hog Watch Steering Committee member Vicki Burns. Gestation stalls are banned in many countries including the European Union. Given the NFACC codes and Manitoba Animal Care Act, this cruel practice should now be illegal here.
Janine Gibson, Leader of the Green Party of Manitoba explains that “without legal liability and oversight of regulations from a larger governing body, there is zero incentive for producers to adhere to codes of practice. It is the responsibility of our government to hold producers accountable to provincial law”. TheGreen Party of Manitoba and Hog Watch Manitoba demand Premier Wab Kinew and Minister of Agriculture Ron Kostyshyn take immediate action to hold pork producers accountable to Manitoba’s Animal Care Act, strengthen regulations, and increase oversight of industrial pork production. Failure of the provincial government to act would allow one of Manitoba’s largest industries to continue to operate in the self-governing manner which is currently leading to immense suffering for millions of animals.
Sincerely
Janine Gibson, Leader of the Green Party of Manitoba
Vicki Burns, Hog Watch Manitoba Steering Committee
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