Inspection of a pig farm in NL

Eyes on Animals visited a deHoeve pig farm in The Netherlands. DeHoeve pig farms have extra requirements regarding animal welfare and environmental protection. Male pigs are not allowed to be castrated, and sows are kept in group housing during most of the gestation period and given straw. The pigs raised for “fattening” are also given slightly more room and a minimum amount of their stall floor has to be solid. Unfortunately they are not given any straw. The level of ammonia is also to be kept at minimal levels. The conditions for the pigs were much better than on standard farms. The restaurant chain La Place are purchasing meat from deHoeve pig farms, as they want to promote more responsible and higher “quality” meals. We thank the owner of the farm for giving us this tour and hope more pig farmers will switch to the deHoeve philosophy.