The PIGS Act would amend the Animal Welfare Act to restrict how breeding pigs are confined. It would prohibit confinement that prevents a pig from lying down, standing up, or turning around freely, and would require at least 24 square feet of usable floor space per pig beginning December 31, 2025. Exceptions include transportation, veterinarian-supervised care, the five days before expected farrowing, and slaughter. The bill also provides for penalties, allows state and local rules to remain in place, and creates financial assistance for pig producers. The amendment would apply one year after enactment.
Pig producers would need to meet the confinement and floor-space requirements when the amendment applies. The Secretary of Agriculture would provide compliance assistance, prioritizing independent pig producers. The bill does not describe changes for consumers.
The bill directs the National Pork Board to set aside at least $10 million from pork assessments in each of the first two fiscal years after enactment for producer assistance. It does not state how much any producer may receive. No publicly available information on other costs.
The bill's findings say intensive confinement harms pigs and that ending these practices would better align the pork industry with consumer preferences. No other publicly available information.
No publicly available information.