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End the cage debate postponed - but members urged to continue contacting MPs

4th Sep 2019 / By Alistair Driver

The debate on Compassion in World Farming’s ‘end the cage age’ petition, which includes a call to ban farrowing crates, has been postponed.

Farrowing crate 3But NPA members are urged to continue contacting their MPs to explain why farrowing crates should not be banned, as the debate will be rescheduled at a later date. 

MPs were due to debate the petition, which has attracted more than 100,000 signatures, on Monday, September 9. But the debate has been postponed due to the current uncertainty over when parliament will be sitting.

The NPA has been urging members to write to their MPs to ensure they have the facts ahead of the debate.

A template letter explains why farrowing crates are used in the pig sector and highlights how the UK pig sector, already ‘well ahead of most other pig-producing countries in terms of zero-confinement farrowing’, is committed to researching and trialling free-farrowing systems. It also sets out the economic implications of banning crates and explains that doing so could expose the UK to cheaper imports from countries that still use the equipment.

NPA senior policy advisor Ed Barker thanked all members who had sent letters to their MPs and urged others to use the extra time now granted to get letters in to their MPs.

“The debate has been postponed, but it will take place at some point when the parliamentary timetable settles down. The letters sent so far not been in vain. These letters do make a difference in ensuring MPs hear both sides of the story and are fully informed about a very important issue to the pig sector. So if you haven’t sent yours yet, you have still got time to educate your MP!"


How you can help…

  1. Use the template letter and amend it where necessary for your business or circumstances.
  2. Send the letter (attaching the NPA briefing) to your MP – if you are unsure who your MP is or how to contact them, you can find their details by putting in your postcode here.
  3. Keep the NPA posted if you hear back from your MP.

The NPA briefing on Farrowing Crates is a good document which explains in more detail what and why we use farrowing crates, this is something you may want to include with your letter or email.