Describe the swine issue in 2002 and how it was resolved.

Describe the swine issue in 2002 and how it was resolved.

• A. Sow gestation in stalls vs group housing; resolved through policy (NOT science or education)
• B. Resolved through a large-scale scientific study
• C. Resolved by consumer campaigns
• D. Resolved by changes in feeding regimes

Answer: (A)

The core issue is how pregnant sows are housed, specifically the use of gestation stalls (sow crates) that severely limit movement and prevent normal behaviors. In 2002, this welfare concern led to policy-driven changes, with laws or regulations moving producers away from stalls toward group housing or alternative systems. The decisive resolution came from policy action—government or industry standards—rather than a single scientific study or a consumer campaign, and not from changing feeding practices. So the description that matches best is the debate over sow gestation in stalls and its resolution through policy changes.

The core issue is how pregnant sows are housed, specifically the use of gestation stalls (sow crates) that severely limit movement and prevent normal behaviors. In 2002, this welfare concern led to policy-driven changes, with laws or regulations moving producers away from stalls toward group housing or alternative systems. The decisive resolution came from policy action—government or industry standards—rather than a single scientific study or a consumer campaign, and not from changing feeding practices. So the description that matches best is the debate over sow gestation in stalls and its resolution through policy changes.