Smithfield Phasing Out Gestation Stalls for Pigs

SMITHFIELD, Va. -- In a move praised by animal rights activists, Smithfield Foods, the world‘s largest pork processor and hog producer, yesterday announced plans to phase out “gestation stalls” at all of its 187 U.S. sow farms over the course of the next decade, ultimately replacing the crates with animal-friendly group housing pens. "While this will be a significant financial commitment for our company over the next 10 years, we believe it's the right thing to do," Smithfield Chief Executive Officer C. Larry Pope said in a statement. The company added that it does not expect the changes to impact pork prices heavily, since the move will be phased in and offset by new production efficiencies. Animal Rights groups, including People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and the Humane Society of the United States, for years have been pressuring pork producers to discontinue the use of the 2-by-7-foot metal crates, where sows are typically kept for monitoring throughout their pregnancies. However, the company said only that concerns raised by its customers, including McDonald‘s Corp., played an important role in its decision.