To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of breeding sows farmed within farrowing crates in the UK; and if he will make a statement. (98211)

Approximately 65 per cent. of breeding pigs (290,000 sows and gilts) are kept in farrowing crates for part of the production cycle. There are strict time limits for the length of time that sows can be kept in farrowing crates. The farrowing crates protect piglets from crushing by the sow—one of the largest causes of pig mortality. We feel it is important to protect the welfare of the piglet as well as the sow.

We would, however, prefer to avoid close confinement of sows. DEFRA has funded research to investigate and develop viable farrowing systems that do not confine the sow, but provide adequate protection to piglets. Some such alternative systems seem promising in an experimental environment, but in others, piglet mortality has been unacceptably high. It remains the case that results need to be replicated consistently under commercial conditions. As yet, the risk of piglet mortality in alternative farrowing systems remains unacceptably high.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the merits of implementing a ban on the use of farrowing crates for pigs; and what discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on the merits of such a ban. (99035)

We would prefer to avoid the close confinement of all sows, but there are currently no free-farrowing systems suitable for widespread commercial adoption. Farrowing crates protect piglets from being crushed by the sow, one of the largest causes of pig mortality. The time limit on how long sows may be kept in farrowing crates is from seven days before the predicted day of farrowing until the piglets are weaned. After this period, sows must be moved back to loose housing accommodation in which they are free to turn round easily.

DEFRA has funded research to develop and test commercially viable farrowing systems which do not closely confine the sow but provide adequate protection to piglets. Some alternative systems seem promising in an experimental environment but it remains the case that results need to be replicated consistently under commercial conditions. As yet, the risk of piglet mortality in alternative farrowing systems remains unacceptably high.

Our research, and that of other European Union (EU) member states, will contribute to the European Food Safety Authority's examination of a number of issues, including farrowing systems. This work will lead to the next review of the EU Directive on pig welfare, scheduled for 2008. We look forward to working with other member states and the European Commission on this review.