Vegetarian Star

Ryan Gosling has written an article in The Globe and Mail that examines why Canada’s National Farm Animal Care Council, the group that regulates the agricultural system and sets farmed animal standards in Canada, should eliminate gestation crates for pigs on farms.

The actor has previously spoken out on other animal welfare issues, such as dehorning dairy calves.

Gosling describes the conditions in which pigs kept in large farms must endure:

“Currently, mother pigs are kept in these cages called “gestation crates” for four months while pregnant, moved to another cage to give birth, reimpregnated and put back into a gestation crate for the cycle to repeat. It adds up to years of immobilization and millions of smart, inquisitive animals relegated to iron maidens.”

He then goes on to explain the medical and psychological effects this has on the animal:

“Pigs in tiny crates suffer beyond anything most of us can easily imagine. They are unable even to turn around for weeks at a time, so that their muscles and bones deteriorate. And these extremely social and intelligent animals lose their minds from being denied any social or psychological stimulation at all.”

According to Gosling, the practice of keeping pigs in gestation crates has been criticized by veterinarians, animal welfare advocates and even major food retailers like Tim Hortons, who have pledged to stop sourcing their animals from farmers that use these devices.

The entire piece from Gosling can be read at The Globe and Mail.

Photo: Tom Sorensen/Creative Commons

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