| Tasmania to ban sow stalls |
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| 09 June 2010 | |
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Tasmanian government puts compassion ahead of politics
In a historic move for animals in Australia, the Tasmanian Minister for Primary Industries and Water, Bryan Green, today announced his government’s plan to place restrictions on the time pregnant sows are allowed to be kept in stalls from 2014, with a full ban coming into effect in 2017. This puts Tasmania ahead of the rest of the country, where pregnant pigs will lawfully be permitted to be confined for the duration of their 16 week pregnancy until at least 2017.
Voiceless, the animal protection institute founded by Brian Sherman AM and Ondine Sherman, commended the Tasmanian government on the move noting that sow stalls are already banned in the UK and in many European countries. They are also banned or scheduled to be phased out in Colorado, California, Florida, Arizona, Oregon, Maine and a growing number of US states. Under the current Federal Code of Practice, pregnant sows can be confined for the majority of their reproductive lives in steel crates known as sow stalls, each barely bigger than a shopping trolley. They are not able to take more than a step forward or back, nor is there enough room to turn around. The systemic abuse of these intelligent and inquisitive animals is likely to remain lawful in every jurisdiction except Tasmania until at least 2017. Voiceless Corporate Counsel, Katrina Sharman, said “Although Australia positions itself as an animal welfare leader, in reality we are lagging shamefully behind the European Union and a growing number of US States when it comes to farm animal law reform. Today’s announcement should be seen as a response to growing popular concern about institutionalised animal cruelty. Until recently, progressive law reforms that have aimed to phase out the worst aspects of factory farming animals have been blocked by state and territory governments adhering to an outdated model of co-operative federalism. Today marks an important first step in providing greater protection for pigs and lays down a challenge to other states and territories to follow suit.” “This move by the Tasmanian government is an admission that the current Code of Practice is woefully inadequate when it comes to providing meaningful protection for pigs. Voiceless urges all Australian states and territories to follow Tasmania’s leadership on this issue and introduce a complete ban on sow stalls immediately.” Katrina Sharman is available for interview. Update 10 June 2010: To read today's comments from Bryan Green MP, The Tasmanian Minister for Primary Industries and Water regarding Tasmania's intention to phase out sow stalls, please follow this link. Did you like this article?   |
