- ‘It’s not a fight of people versus farmers, but about working with farmers to make sure we can get better protections for animals’ – James Dalgleish
- ‘A cage is a cage, and public opinion is clear: mother pigs don’t belong behind bars’ – Claire Bass
Humane World for Animals UK (formerly known as Humane Society International UK) was in Edinburgh city centre on April 14 with its campaign to ban farrowing crates. Campaigners installed a life-sized animatronic pig named Penny to highlight the harsh reality faced by tens of thousands of mother pigs on industrial farms.
Penny sparked discussions among members of the public about her presence inside a metal crate, like those used to confine sows while they give birth and nurse their piglets. The striking installation is designed to show the severe restriction endured by mother pigs kept in these systems.
Abdullah from Livingstone, said: “Putting a sentient being in any sort of cage is unacceptable. I think mother pigs should be free to look after their babies, without being confined or exploited, just like we would expect a human mother or a mother from any other animal species.”
According to the latest agricultural census, as of 2025, Scotland is home to 25,600 sows, about half of whom are kept in indoor pig farms that keep mother pigs in these cages. Under current laws, they can be kept for up to five weeks confined in narrow metal cages every time they give birth, typically two or three times a year.
The cages are so restrictive that the animals are unable to turn around and have little opportunity to engage in natural behaviours such as nest-building or moving freely with their piglets, damaging their physical and mental health.
James Dalgleish, Labour candidate for Edinburgh Central, said: “It’s not a fight of people versus farmers but about working with farmers to make sure we can get better protections for animals who can then be healthier and happier.”
Polling commissioned by Humane World for Animals UK revealed that 84% of the Scottish public reject the use of farrowing crates for mother pigs.
Over half of respondents (54%) stated they would be willing to pay more for meat from crate-free pigs, indicating opportunities for farmers to benefit from the highest welfare standards financially.
Humane World for Animals UK warns that some parts of the industry are shifting towards so-called ‘flexible’ farrowing crates, which involve the same extreme confinement for a shorter period (10 days). The organisation says these systems will condemn another generation of mother pigs to unnecessary suffering, and advocates instead for cages to be replaced with free-farrowing pens.
Claire Bass, senior director of campaigns at Humane World for Animals UK, said: “Many people are shocked that such extreme, prolonged confinement is still legal in Scotland. Farmers must end cruel caging, not replace old cages with new ones that would condemn millions more pregnant and nursing pigs to future decades of misery. A cage is a cage, and public opinion is clear: mother pigs don’t belong behind bars.
“With the Scottish election fast approaching, our tour is turning public compassion into political pressure. Voters in Edinburgh and across Scotland are demanding change and joining our call for the next Scottish Government to support farmers to put an end to pregnancy cage cruelty.”
ABOUT HUMANE WORLD FOR ANIMALS
Together, we tackle the root causes of animal cruelty and suffering to create permanent change. With millions of supporters and work underway in over 50 countries, Humane World for Animals—formerly known as the Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International—addresses the most deeply entrenched forms of animal cruelty and suffering.
As the leading voice in the animal protection space, we work to end the cruellest practices, care for animals in crisis and build a stronger animal protection movement. Driving toward the greatest global impact, we aim to achieve the vision behind our name: a more humane world.
