By Dori Modney with files from Maple Leaf Foods

Maple Leaf Foods follows through on commitment to animal care

Nov 19, 2021 | 6:12 PM

Mississauga, Ont. — It`s one of the most well-known names in meat processing and it`s fulfilling a commitment to animal care at its facilities.

Maple Leaf Foods touts its company as one of the leading North American producers of high-quality, sustainable protein with a world class animal care program at its facilities.

With that in mind, Maple Leaf announced on Wednesday (Nov 17), that it will complete transition all breeding sows in company-owned barns to a unique, industry-leading advanced Open Sow Housing System.

The system provides open-housing during pregnancy which allows sows to roam, rest, feed and socialize freely.

Previously, pregnant sows were confined to gestation crates during their 78-day gestation period, to ensure their safety, However, concerns have been raised about the impact on welfare and natural behaviour. A 2013 survey conducted by Humane Society International–Canada revealed that 84 per cent of Canadians supported elimination of the crates

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Canada’s pork industry committed in 2014, to ending gestation crate use by 2024 but, set a more ambitious timeline to convert all Maple Leaf Agri-Farms sow barns to the new Advanced Open Sow Housing System by the end of 2021. These barns produce about 40 percent of the pigs that the company uses annually to produce its branded pork products.

The company`s animal care team studied housing and feeding systems around the world and combined the best practices to develop the Advanced Open Sow Housing. The system differs from other open sow housing systems by not just opening or removing gestation crates, but also creating housing areas with various spaces that support sows’ ability to choose when to play, to socialize, to eat and to rest.

The System offers additional comforts, such as electronic sow feeders, cool water misters during the hot summer months, bright LED lighting, windows for natural light and night lights for sows who choose to feed at night.

Maple Leaf CEO, Michael McCain, notes that ensuring the animals experience the best possible environment, is the right thing to do and an essential part of sustainability.

“Our progress in eliminating gestation crates in our sow barns across Canada is a significant milestone as we proudly lead the industry towards a more compassionate approach to animal welfare.”

The unique system also helps Maple Leaf Foods Team Members to monitor the animal`s health more accurately.