The Canadians for Ethical Treatment of Food Animals and the Canadian Coalition for Farm Animals say the provincial NDP and Liberal Party support phasing out the use of sow stalls.

The animal rights groups report they surveyed all candidates from the three parties earlier this month.

The groups say the NDP agreed that "standards of care within the livestock industry need to improve" and that there should be discussions between industry and advocacy groups on how best to implement a phase-out.

The Liberals' policy calls for "work with industry on new guidelines" and a "move towards an industry that respects the welfare of animals, but not necessarily an outright ban by 2017."

The PC's expressed a commitment to working with producers and the Manitoba Pork Council to help the industry facilitate the phase-out of sow stalls.

None of the three parties committed to a specific end-date for stalls.

The Canadians for Ethical Treatment of Food Animals and the Canadian Coalition for Farm Animals have been running a joint media campaign against the use of sow stalls since spring.