1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Pigs In Gestation Stalls Act of 2023 or the PIGS Act of 2023 . 2. Findings Congress makes the following findings: (1) Intensive confinement of pigs is a significant animal welfare issue, causing physical problems and psychological anguish for the animals. (2) Dozens of major food retailers and more than 10 States have taken action to phase out the use of intensive confinement for pigs, reflecting the will and concerns of the public. (3) At least two States have adopted policies to forbid the sale of pork from factory farms that use gestation crates, with that policy predicated on human health and animal welfare concerns. (4) As more consumers turn away from purchasing pork products derived from intensive confinement practices, the pork industry will be better aligned with its customers by ending these unpopular and inhumane housing methods. 3. Prohibition on confining breeding pigs (a) In general The Animal Welfare Act ( 7 U.S.C. 2131 et seq. ) is amended by adding at the end the following: 30. Prohibition on confining breeding pigs (a) Prohibition (1) In general It shall be unlawful for a person to cause any breeding pig to be confined in— (A) such a manner that prevents the pig from lying down, standing up, or turning around— (i) in a complete circle without any impediment, including a tether; and (ii) without touching the side of an enclosure or another animal; and (B) beginning on December 31, 2023, a space with less than 24 square feet of usable floorspace per pig, as calculated under paragraph (3). (2) Exceptions The Secretary shall not, in applying paragraph (1), consider a breeding pig to be confined in a cruel manner if such confinement occurs during— (A) transportation; (B) examination, testing, treatment, or an operation conducted for veterinary purposes, but only if performed by or under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian; (C) the five-day period before the pig’s expected date of farrowing