The Welfare of Pigs Regulations 1991

Prohibitions relating to stalls and pens

3.—(1) Where a pig is kept in a stall or pen on agricultural land (whether or not on its own)—

(a) the pig must be free to turn round without difficulty at all times; and

(b) the stall or pen must have at least the minimum dimensions for keeping the pig in the stall or pen on its own;

and if the pig is kept in a stall or pen in contravention of this paragraph any person responsible for its being so kept shall be guilty of an offence under section 2 of the Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1968.

(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(b), a stall or pen has the minimum dimensions for keeping a pig in the stall or pen on its own if—

(a) the area of the stall or pen is not less than the square of the length of the pig; and

(b) none of the sides of the stall or pen has a length which is less than seventy-five per cent of the length of the pig.

References above to the length of the pig are references to its length from the tip of its snout to the base of its tail while it is standing with its back straight; any references to dimensions are references to internal dimensions.

(3) For the purposes of paragraph (1), a person is responsible for a pig being kept in a stall or pen in contravention of that paragraph if the pig is under his control and he—

(a) keeps it or causes or permits it to be kept there in contravention of that paragraph; or

(b) may reasonably be expected to know that it is or may be so kept.

(4) A person shall not be guilty of an offence by virtue of paragraph (1) by reason of the keeping of a pig in a stall or pen—

(a) while it is undergoing any examination, test, treatment or operation carried out for veterinary purposes;

(b) for the purposes of service, artificial insemination or collection of semen;

(c) while it is fed on any particular occasion;

(d) for the purposes of marking, washing or weighing it;

(e) while its accommodation is being cleaned;

(f) while it is awaiting loading for transportation;

provided that the period during which it is so kept is not longer than necessary for the purpose in view.

(5) A person shall not be guilty of an offence by virtue of paragraph (1) by reason of the keeping of a female pig in a stall or pen during the period beginning seven days before the predicted day of her farrowing and ending on the day on which the weaning of her piglets (including any piglets fostered by her) is complete.

(6) A pig shall not be regarded as being kept in a stall or pen in which it could not be kept without contravening paragraph (1) by virtue of the fact that it can enter and leave such a stall or pen at will, provided that the stall or pen is entered from a stall or pen in which the pig is kept without contravening that paragraph.