Pigs in blankets

I don't know much about bacon as I don't eat it, but didn't Denmark change the way they farm pigs because of pressure put on them by the UK? I seem to remember that they were originally reared in inhumane conditions but changed it because of bad publicity they received through William Hague. I would guess that our pig farms would also be complying with those regulations.

 

This quote is from Wiki so I can't be sure of its veracity

"Denmark now concentrates on pig production and has moved bacon curing and packing to other countries. Such bacon is sold as Danish, somewhat controversially, even within Denmark itself. Pigs for the UK market are reared separately to a UK specification, mostly because of UK concerns over pig welfare in Denmark."

 

Even exceeding those regulations for years now, Shiney.



Free-range sow and piglets
In the UK, pregnant sows are kept in groups and are often provided with straw for bedding, rooting and chewing. Around 40% of UK sows are kept free-range outdoors and farrow in huts on their range.

Higher welfare indoor systems
Pigs are kept in groups on solid floors with straw or other material for bedding and rooting.

Although there is no access to the outdoors, there is greater opportunity for natural behaviour, free movement within the pen or shed, less crowding, conflict, boredom and tail-biting. Deep bedded systems allow foraging and comfort.

Sows may still give birth in farrowing crates, but in the better systems they give birth in huts or pens.

Outdoor bred
Sows are kept free-range outdoors with huts for shelter and for having piglets. There are no sow stalls or farrowing crates. The huts are provided with straw. At weaning, the piglets are taken indoors and reared in extensive or intensive conditions.

In these systems, sows have a higher quality of life and are able to act naturally by building nests, rooting, wallowing and foraging. The piglets benefit from the free-range conditions until they are weaned.

Outdoor reared
Piglets are born outside (without stalls or crates) and spend around half of their lives outside.

Free-range
Whilst there is no legal definition of ‘free-range pork’, a voluntary industry code in the UK requires that free-range pigs have permanent access to pasture: born outside (without stalls or crates) and then reared outside throughout their lives.



Pig farming to higher welfare standards
Conditions on a free-range pig farm.

In the best free-range and organic pig farms, the sows and the growing pigs are kept outside for their entire lives.

The piglets stay with their mothers for longer (up to 6 to 8 weeks), mixing of unfamiliar pigs is reduced and tail-docking is not used. Pigs spend their lives more like they would naturally.