The Campaign

Canadians for the Ethical Treatment of Food Animals and the Canadian Coalition for Farm Animals are seeking a ban on sow stalls in the Province of Manitoba. There are compelling reasons to eliminate the use of stalls, the primary ones being that stalls do not meet even the most basic physical, social and psychological needs of pigs. There are also good economic and production arguments to be made for switching to group housing. Sows in group housing have fewer health issues, have an easier time birthing, and are more content, particularly when provided with straw. Group housing barns are also less expensive to build than barns equipped with sow stalls.

More information is available on our Help the Pigs site.

Global Trends

There is a growing global movement opposing the use of sow stalls, with an increasing number of jurisdictions phasing out and banning sow stalls. The state of Tasmania in Australia is the most recent of these to announce a ban — it's another in an emerging trend that reflects the public's growing concern for farm animal treatment.

The European Union has imposed a ban on the prolonged use of sow stalls that will go into effect in 2013. They are already banned in Great Britain, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, and the Philippines. Seven United States states — including Michigan, Arizona, California and Florida — banned sow stalls through voter ballots; Maine, Colorado and Oregon banned stalls through state legislative initiatives.

How to Help

Please write to the Manitoba Pork Council, Canadian Pork Council, and Manitoba Premier asking that sow stalls be phased out and banned as of 2017. Manitoba residents may also contact their MLA.

Manitoba Pork Council

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General Manager
Manitoba Pork Council
28 Terracon Place
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R2J 4G7

Canadian Pork Council

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Executive Director
900-220 Laurier Ave. W
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 5Z9

Manitoba's Premier

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Premier of Manitoba
204 Legislative Building
450 Broadway
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3C 0V8