PETA Europe Challenges Pig Farmers to Show It Like It Really Is

During British Sausage Week, the pig industry pulled out all the stops to promote its products, a task that has surely become more of an uphill battle as consumers become more concerned about their health and animal welfare. Pork producers attempt to assuage consumers' concerns by making assurances about how "humanely" pigs are raised. PETA Europe sent a letter challenging the chair of the Meat & Livestock Commission to put that assertion to the test. PETA Europe is asking that 27-year-old PETA Europe volunteer Lucy Groom be permitted to live alongside breeding sows in a farrowing crate for a month in order to allow the public to see the conditions inside factory pig farms - via live remote camera and through media coverage - and decide for themselves whether they believe the conditions are "humane".

More Than Walking Rashers

In their natural surroundings, pigs spend hours playing, sunbathing and exploring with their powerful sense of smell. They constantly communicate with each other; more than 20 vocalizations have been identified for different situations. Mother pigs build nests for their babies out of twigs and leaves. Newborn piglets learn to run in response to their mothers' voices, and mother pigs "sing" to their young while nursing.

Pigs are thought to be more intelligent than average 3-year-old children. Professor Stanley Curtis of Penn State University found that pigs can play joystick-controlled video games and are "capable of abstract representation". Curtis says that "there is much more going on in terms of thinking and observing by these pigs than we would ever have guessed".

Not Fit for a Pig

In modern factory farms, most pregnant pigs are confined to concrete-floored metal crates so small that they can't turn around or comfortably lie down for between 28 and 35 days at a time. The forced immobility prevents sows from making nests or even cleaning their babies, and it can cause them to develop sores and aching joints. The farming industry claims the crates are used to prevent sows from accidentally crushing their piglets. However, this wouldn't be a risk if the pigs were reared in a more open, natural environment, where they'd be able to fulfil their natural maternal instincts. After the piglets are weaned, they are immediately taken away from the sows, who are then reimpregnated, perpetuating the cycle until their bodies wear out and they are sent to slaughter.

You Can Help

Click here to watch PETA's "Meet Your Meat" video and learn more about the standard conditions that farmed animals are raised in. Share this video with your friends and family members.

Save a pig by going vegan today! Click here to download PETA's vegetarian starter kit, which is packed with nutritional information, cooking tips and animal-friendly recipes.