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JUNE 18, 2001

The practices of pig farms throughout the country are raising the eyebrows of animal rights activists to academic researchers who say the use of sow gestation crates is cruel.

The crates are small, narrow two-feet wide metal cages in which pigs spend as much as three or four years of their lives. The crates don't allow for much movement and are used by the industry for sows when giving birth to piglets.

The European Union is considering legislation to phase the crates out in 10 years. McDonald's is condering a policy to require pork suppliers not to use them.

The Rosebud Sioux Tribe of South Dakota is trying to halt a hog farm development on its reservation.

Get the Story:
In Pig Farming, Growing Concern (The Washington Post 6/18)

Related Stories:
Hog farm protest camp set up (5/17)
Judge says tribe can't halt hog farm (5/1)