Over 550,000 pigs are kept in appalling conditions inside New Zealand's intensive farms.  Confined in row upon row of filthy barren pens , in semi darkness, they suffer extreme boredom, frustration and disease- all for the sake of cheap pork.

Of these pigs over 20,000 pregnant sows  are confined to sow stalls- metal crates so narrow that they cannot even turn around.  all they can do is take one step foward and backward, stand up and lie down.  After the sow gives birth she is moved to a farrowing crate - a marginally larger crate where she cannot move around.  This is so the piglets can suckle continually, causing swelling and teat infections.  The piglets are taken away from their mother to fattening pens only 4 weeks after they are born (normal weaning period is 13-17 weeks), and the sow is inpregnated again.

In factory farms virtually all the pigs natural behaviour instincts are suppressed.  they are denied interation with other pigs, sunlight, fresh air and mud.  ti is typical to find pigs showing severe psychological distress such as compulsive bar biting, self mutilation, head and full body rocking, chewing air, cannibalism and attempting to dig into concrete floors.  the continuous confinement also causes lameness, skin injury, bone deformation and cronic foot pain.

pigs are inquisitive, intelligent and highly maternal animals, they have complex behavioural needs which cannot be met in an factory farm.  Pigs are social animals who in their natural environment will spend up to 8 hours a day in small family groups exploring and foraging for food, as well as making nests for their young, and wallowing in mud.

The suffering caused by factory farming is extreme and relentless, ending only with the slaughter  of the animals.  All factory darming is unnacceptable; IT MUST BE STOPPED