Figures obtained by Compassion show several EU member states, including Spain, have joined the list of nations that will be ready for the introduction of the new legislation in the new year.

This means eighteen countries are now expected to be compliant by 1 January 2013 but leaves Austria, Cyprus, Finland, France, Greece, Italy, Poland, Portugal and Slovenia with some work to do.

Dil Peeling, Director of Public Affairs at Compassion says:

"Farmers across Europe have had since 2001 to prepare for the new rules, and the fact that there are still a significant number of farms in some countries that are not yet compliant is concerning.

"The new law will go some way to levelling the playing field across the EU but will only help if it is fully enforced."

Consumers of pig products in all the EU states also deserve to be sure that what they are buying hasn't been produced in an illegal system.

Compassion will continue to put pressure on the governments of these non-compliant nations in the run up to the ban coming into force and will monitor the situation for non-compliance after 1st January. It is vitally important for millions of sows across the EU that this legislation is properly enforced across all 27 member states.

Take Action:

If you are a UK resident, you can send a message to the French Ambassador in London, demonstrating the support for the ban and calling for France to take action to comply.

Sow stall ban: nine not ready