A PIG’S LIFE

CONVENTIONAL VS ORGANIC

Sources: Compassion in World Farming, Viva!, RSPCA, Soil Association

Conventional

Half of British sows are kept in cages so small they can’t turn around or do natural tasks like building a nest for their young or foraging for food.

93 per cent of growing pigs are kept entirely indoors in the UK. If not properly managed, pigs attack and eat each other in this cramped and stressful space. Around 80 per cent of pigs have their tails cut off, to prevent other pigs biting them.

Only 3 per cent of British pigs spend their entire lives outside living naturally.

Some pigs are routinely given antibiotics even when not unwell, to encourage them to put on weight faster.

Organic

Cages are banned.

Pigs are kept outdoors for their entire lives.

Tail-cutting is not allowed and not necessary, as animals have space to roam.

Piglets are weaned at 40 days, not 21 – the minimum for non-organic pigs.

Routine use of antibiotics is banned.

Levels of omega-3 in the meat are 291 per cent higher than in intensively reared pork.

In free-range pork, vitamin E levels are up to 204 per cent higher.