PIGS Act Mandates 24 Sq Ft Minimum for Breeding Sows by End of 2025, Offers Financial Aid

The Pigs In Gestation Stalls (PIGS) Act of 2025 sets new federal standards for housing breeding pigs, defined as female pigs over six months old kept for commercial breeding or pregnant ones. Starting December 31, 2025, the bill requires that these animals must be housed with enough space to lie down, stand up, and turn around freely without touching their enclosure or another animal, mandating a minimum of 24 square feet of usable floor space per pig. The core idea is to phase out restrictive gestation crates based on animal welfare and human health concerns cited in the bill's findings.

Out with the Crates, In with the Space

The central change here is the move away from close confinement. Section 3 explicitly prohibits keeping breeding pigs in enclosures that restrict basic movement. This isn't just about feelings; it's a measurable standard – 24 square feet per animal. Think about it: for producers using older systems with individual gestation stalls, this likely means significant renovations or entirely new barn designs to comply by the end-of-2025 deadline. The rules themselves kick in one year after the Act is enacted, giving producers some lead time before the specific space mandate hits.

The Fine Print: Exceptions and Enforcement

Life isn't always lived in a spacious pen, and the bill acknowledges some practicalities. The space requirements don't apply during specific, temporary situations: loading pigs for transport, veterinary exams or procedures supervised by a vet, a five-day window right before a sow is expected to give birth (farrowing), and during the slaughter process itself (which must follow the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act). Step outside these exceptions, however, and producers could face penalties under the Animal Health Protection Act, though the specifics of enforcement mechanisms aren't detailed beyond that reference.

Show Me the Money: Funding the Farm Fix

Recognizing that switching up housing systems costs money, the PIGS Act includes a financial assistance component. Section 3 directs the Secretary (presumably of Agriculture) to set up a program to help pig producers make the necessary changes. Crucially, this program is instructed to prioritize independent pig producers – those who own their own animals, rather than raising them under contract for a larger company. To get this started, the National Pork Board is required to allocate at least $10 million from its assessment funds (money collected from pork producers) over the first two years specifically for this assistance. How the program operates beyond that initial funding isn't laid out in detail yet.

Patchwork Policy: State vs. Federal Rules

It's important to note that this federal bill doesn't stomp on existing state or local laws if those laws are equally or more stringent. The bill's findings mention states that have already banned the sale of pork not meeting certain welfare standards. This means producers might still face a complex regulatory landscape, needing to comply with the PIGS Act and potentially stricter rules in specific states where they sell their products. The overall goal, as stated in the bill, is to better align the industry with changing consumer expectations around animal welfare.