The National Pork Producers Council is opposing the push by retailers to mandate group housing for sows and the elimination of gestation crates. This week Smithfield Foods officials say they’ve moved 87 percent of their pregnant sows to group housing. NPPC President John Weber says housing decisions need to be left up to the individual producers.

He says if retailers and consumers continue to demand only group housing, they’re going to have trouble getting the pork supplies they desire.

Weber says it’s important the message gets out to consumers about the great job pork producers are doing caring for their animals.

HSUS and other animal activist groups also continue to put pressure on retailers and consumers through state initiated measures calling for a ban on gestate crates.