PIGS Act Bans Gestation Crates, Mandates 24 Sq. Ft. Minimum Space for Breeding Pigs by 2025

The new PIGS Act of 2025 is shaking up the pork industry by setting federal minimum space requirements for breeding pigs. Think of it as a significant upgrade to animal welfare standards, driven by consumer demand and state action. Starting one year after the Act passes, it will be illegal to house a breeding pig in a way that prevents it from fully standing up, lying down, or turning around without hitting anything. This effectively phases out those controversial, extremely restrictive gestation crates.

More Room to Roam: The 24-Square-Foot Rule

If the “ability to turn around” rule sounds a little subjective, the bill adds a clear, measurable standard. Starting on December 31, 2025, every breeding pig must be guaranteed at least 24 square feet of usable floor space. This is a big deal for large commercial operations that rely on maximizing density. The law defines a “breeding pig” as any female pig over six months old used for commercial breeding, or any pig that is currently pregnant. This new standard ensures that the animals have room to move, which is a massive change from current industry practice in many parts of the country.

There are necessary exceptions, though. These new space rules don't apply when the animals are being transported, receiving veterinary care, or during the final five days before they are expected to give birth (a process called farrowing). They also don't apply during the slaughter process, provided it follows existing humane standards. For everyone else, failure to comply with the new space requirements will trigger penalties under the Animal Health Protection Act.

The Cost of Compliance: Help for the Little Guy

Moving from crates to group housing systems requires significant capital investment—we're talking new barns, new flooring, and new feeding systems. Recognizing this massive economic burden, the Act mandates the creation of a financial assistance program. The Secretary must set up this program specifically to help producers cover the costs of meeting these new requirements. Crucially, the bill requires this aid to prioritize independent pig producers—the smaller operations that aren't raising pigs under contract for giant corporations.

To fund this transition, the bill taps into existing industry money. It requires the National Pork Board to set aside at least $10 million from its existing funds (collected via the Pork Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act) for each of the first two fiscal years after the law is enacted. While this provides a necessary cushion for smaller farms, it does mean the National Pork Board will have to divert $20 million over two years from other promotional or research activities.

Setting the Floor, Not the Ceiling

One important detail is what this federal law means for existing state laws. Some states have already banned the sale of pork sourced from gestation crates, and others have their own confinement standards. This federal law specifically states that it does not stop states or local governments from creating their own rules that are the same as or stricter than these new federal requirements. Essentially, this PIGS Act sets a national floor for animal welfare, leaving the door open for states to demand even higher standards if their citizens choose to do so.