Finally, from a scientific perspective, when sows are housed in a large social group, the study group is the social group. If one has a study with one electronic sow feeder, for example, the study group is the single pen of sows and the study is not replicated. This makes replication of such studies difficult and costly. Furthermore, if the study group is a single large pen of pregnant sows, then on commercial farms, there would be sows constantly entering and leaving the social group resulting is social distress and study variation compared with sows in individual pens or crates. In today s well-fed society, ethical standards must be considered.
Public perception is important to consumer acceptance of pork products.
Today s consumer is largely out of touch with current pork production practices. A segment might be willing to use their ethical convictions and purchasing power to encourage certain production systems. Other consumers may have different ethical values and may feel a lower price for food is more important to them than a given production system. Consumer ethical values are beginning to influence international trade as well as domestic purchasing decisions. When consumers are making decisions, scientists are looked-to for objective information on which to base ethical decisions.