Bill · H.R. 2626· House(119-HR-2626)
PIGS Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 4/3/2025
- Last activity
- 4/18/2025 — Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.
- Sponsored by
- Veronica Escobar
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Pigs In Gestation Stalls Act of 2025" aims to amend the Animal Welfare Act to prohibit certain confinement practices for breeding pigs. It specifically bans confinement that prevents a pig from lying down, standing up, or turning around in a full circle. Starting December 31, 2025, it also prohibits spaces with less than 24 square feet of usable floorspace per pig. The bill includes exceptions for transportation, veterinary treatment, the five days before farrowing, and slaughter. To help producers adapt, the Secretary will establish a financial assistance program using funds from the National Pork Board.
Yes· 3 of 5
Does this make it easier to run a small business?+5
The bill prioritizes independent pig producers for financial assistance to help them comply with new regulations.
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+4
The bill improves animal welfare standards which is a component of environmental and biological protection.
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?+3
The bill aligns the pork industry with consumer preferences regarding animal welfare.
The opposite
Would business owners be better off under this?-2
The bill imposes new regulatory burdens and compliance costs on pig producers.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Financial Assistance for Producers: The bill directs the Secretary to establish a program to provide financial assistance to pig producers to help them comply with these new requirements (Section 3(f)(1)).
-
Priority for Small Business Owners: Within the financial assistance program, the law prioritizes independent pig producers, which are defined as those who own their own pigs and are not contracted to raise pigs belonging to another entity (Section 3(f)(2) and Section 3(g)(4)).
-
Targeted Funding Amount: The bill mandates that the National Pork Board set aside at least $10,000,000 from collected assessments to assist producers during the first two fiscal years following enactment (Section 3(f)(3)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Penalties for Non-compliance: Any person who violates the new prohibitions on confining breeding pigs will be subject to penalties (Section 3(b)).
-
Increased Regulatory Requirements: Producers must ensure that pigs have enough space to lie down, stand up, and turn around in a complete circle without hitting the side of an enclosure or another animal (Section 3(a)(1)(A)).
-
Strict Space Requirements: Beginning December 31, 2025, producers must provide at least 24 square feet of usable floorspace per pig (Section 3(a)(1)(B)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+5Improves Consumer Protection+3
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+4
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+3
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Farmers+2Good For Business Owners-2
- 4/18/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.
- 4/3/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia