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Pork Council moves forward on sow crates issue: interview
Story Date: 3/14/2012
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Source: Chris Scott, MEATINGPLACE, 3/14/12
The National Pork Producers Council isn’t standing still as controversy swirls around the gestation creates used by pork producers. The organization is launching plans for a scientific study of the issue while also offering guidance to companies that are reassessing the use of sow housing by their suppliers.
Animal humane organizations have called on producers to reduce the use of sow crates, which they contend harm the animals. But producers, pork processing associations and some companies that sell pork-based products argue that the issue has not been completely vetted even as decisions to ban their use are being made by executives far removed from the production process.
Delegates at the National Pork Forum this month called for just such a study and the NPPC is prepared to address the topic, according to NPPC CEO Neil Dierks. He told Meatingplace that while specific plans are still being put together, the organization – which represents the interests of 67,000 U.S. pork producers – is committed to providing definitive context in a debate that is only becoming more widespread.
Meatingplace: What does the NPCC hope to achieve with this study?
DIERKS: Our goal is to take a thorough look at the science that surrounds the use of these pens and identify the gaps as they relate to the housing of sows. There are a lot of people out there raising the question (about the gestational crates), which is why the study is the responsible thing to do.
Meatingplace: Will the historical use of these crates play a role in the research?
DIERKS: Some people are forgetting that these systems weren’t developed overnight and they were designed to address specific issues that arise when working with hogs, like fighting when held in groups, making sure that all of them receive ample food and overall decent care. When they were first introduced, (hog farmers) thought they improved the care of the animals because they addressed these issues. But we’ll work with the industry on this new research to establish the best processes moving forward.
Meatingplace: What about current standards might need to change?
DIERKS: Right now, we agree with the position of medical veterinary organizations, including the American Veterinary Medical Association, that there is no real answer to the question of whether one system is better than any other in terms of protecting sows. This new research should provide additional information.
Meatingplace: Is the NPPC available to work with other companies beyond McDonald’s when it comes to addressing consumer and other questions about sow crates?
DIERKS: We’re open to offering support to other companies whose customers are concerned about pork suppliers’ use of sow crates. But is has to be remembered that these are complex issues even if they seem simple on the surface. We’re working on the timetable for the new study now, with a preliminary report expected to be ready in time for the 2013 Pork Forum and the final report in 2014.
For more stories, go to http://www.meatingplace.com/.
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