Hummingbird News Desk
KOLKATA, 26 MAY: In a significant move aimed at improving animal welfare, the State Animal Resources Department in West Bengal has issued instructions to all senior officials across the state to ensure the complete elimination of restrictive crates in pig farms. This decision comes after an appeal by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), India, urging the prohibition of the manufacture, sale, and use of gestation and farrowing crates in pig farming.
The circular, issued by the Director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, has been sent to officers in all districts, emphasizing the importance of implementing the ban on these inhumane confinement systems. West Bengal, which currently ranks fourth in pig production in India, now becomes the 21st state to enforce such restrictions.
The ban on restrictive crates has already been implemented by several state governments across India, including Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, and others. West Bengal’s decision further strengthens the nationwide movement towards improving animal welfare standards in the pig farming industry.
PETA, India, has long advocated for the abolishment of gestation and farrowing crates due to the immense suffering they cause to pigs. A spokesperson for PETA highlighted the intelligence of these animals and stressed that the confinement of mother pigs in cramped crates and their separation from their piglets inflicts tremendous grief and agony upon them.
Gestation crates are metal cages that severely limit the movement of pregnant sows, making it difficult for them to even turn around or stand up comfortably. Once the sows give birth, they are typically transferred to farrowing crates where they remain until their piglets are taken away. This constant confinement and separation from their young leads to extreme stress and frustration, is resulting in abnormal behavior such as incessant biting at the enclosure.
The ban on restrictive crates in West Bengal’s pig farms signifies a step forward in aligning the state’s animal welfare practices with ethical standards. It acknowledges the importance of treating animals with compassion and respect while ensuring their well-being in farming practices. The move will not only benefit the welfare of pigs but also contribute to a more sustainable and humane agricultural industry in the state.
With West Bengal joining the growing list of states that have implemented restrictions on the use of these crates, it is expected that the momentum for improved animal welfare in the pig farming sector will continue to gain traction nationwide.
Tags: #WestBengal #PigFarming #Ban #PETA
Image Courtesy: PETA
