Indian state bans narrow crates used to confine mother pigs

Madhya Pradesh Bans Cruel Crates Used to Confine Mother Pigs

The state government in Madhya Pradesh, India has issued a circular banning the use of gestation and farrowing crates meant for keeping the mother pigs. The circular directs deputy directors of veterinary services in all districts to inspect pig farms in their jurisdictions and to ensure that, as per Section 11(1)(e) of The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, all use of gestation and farrowing crates is ended and prohibited. Similar circulars have been issued in the Indian states of Punjab, Karnataka and Goa.

The PETA, India had appealed to the Director of Animal Husbandry and Dairying for banning these cruel cages. Similar circulars have already been issued by the Goa and Karnataka governments following PETA India’s action as well as by the Punjab government, a communique from the animal watchdog said.

“PETA India commends the Madhya Pradesh government for its action, which will spare countless pigs suffering in severe confinement inside crates,” says PETA India Advocacy Associate Farhat Ul Ain.

Gestation and farrowing crates deny mother pigs everything that’s natural and important to them, such as opportunities to forage, build a nest for their young, socialise with other pigs, and regulate their body temperature (such as by wallowing in mud). The crates also force pigs to live amid their own faeces and urine. The extreme stress and frustration caused by this severe confinement results in abnormal behaviour, such as continually biting at the enclosure bars or “chewing” the air, the communique added.