Rachael Maskell MP, joined the Humane World of Animals campaign group in Parliament Street today, Thursday 21 August 2025, as part of their tour to highlight the plight of pigs who are kept in farrowing cages. Around 200,000 sows are confined to farrowing crates and will spend a quarter of their lives in these very constrained spaces where they cannot even turn around. They are often on hard concrete flooring and can barely reach their piglets.
Farrowing crates are cruel and outdated, and in a nation of animal lovers, have no place in modern farming today. Pigs are very social animals and yet they cannot have contact with other pigs while in these cages, and cannot use their instinct to protect their young.
Many campaigners contacted Rachael Maskell MP, to let her know that the Penny Pig tour was coming to York, and asked her to attend the stand, which she duly did to learn more about the campaign. Rachael has long campaigned on animal welfare issues, whether wildlife, farming or domestic animals and whilst serving as the Shadow Environment Secretary published plans to introduce progressive protections for animals. Today, Ms Maskell is calling for these measures to be enshrined in law.
The York Central MP was also pleased to meet constituents at the stall and talk to them about their concerns for sows and wider issues about animal welfare.
Rachael Maskell MP says:
“The Crate Britain Tour, with Penny the pig, brought to life the impact that farrowing crates have on sows as they are confined to tight spaces in which to rear their young. This mode of farming is outdated and so I urge York residents to engage with Humane World for Animals in their quest to outlaw such poor practices.
“I very much hope that the Labour Government will introduce a strong set of animal welfare measures in the next session of this Parliament, as the work has been well researched and ready to go on the statute books. As a nation of animal lovers, it is important that we lead the way in modern farming techniques combined with animal welfare, and advance the protections for all animals.”
Claire Bass, senior director of campaigns at Humane World for Animals UK, says:
“Pigs in farrowing crates, including on farms here in Yorkshire, endure the most restrictive confinement of any farmed animals in the UK, and they suffer physically and mentally as a result. We were really delighted with the positive reaction that people in York had to Penny and our campaign, so many people were truly shocked that these cruel crates are legal on British farms.
“We are very grateful to Rachael for using her voice in Parliament to speak out for pigs and so many other animals. There is clearly strong public support for the Government to help farmers get rid of crates, so we urge Ministers to act swiftly to get mother pigs out from behind bars.”
This article was published by York Press