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The prognosis under Australia’s new pig code of practice
Generations of female pigs are destined to be crammed in stalls so small they cannot even turn around, under the latest in a series of Model Codes of Practice for the Welfare of Animals which was recently endorsed by the Primary Industries Ministerial Council (PIMC).
The 3rd revision of the Code of Practice for pigs has been endorsed by all States and Territories, but as yet has only been given effect in Victoria and South Australia. The majority of other states currently still refer to the 2nd version of the Model Code of Practice. To view a table on the legal status of the Pig Code in your jurisdiction, please follow this link.
Voiceless has always been of the view that the Codes are unable to offer true protection to pigs and other farm animals, as they are used to justify many cruel factory farming practices. The Codes are also used as a tool to maintain the veil of secrecy over the worst aspects of factory farming. In our view, the Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals- Pigs (revised) which will replace the current Pig Code (2nd edition) is no exception. Some of the cruel practices incorporated in the Revised Code are:
- For the next decade, pregnant pigs will be permitted to be confined for the duration of their 16 week pregnancy in individual sow stalls, measuring no more than 0.6 x 2.2m. These stalls, which have been associated with physical disorders, chronic stress and depression, are so small that female pigs cannot even turn around.
- From about 2017:
- the maximum time for holding pregnant pigs in sow stalls will reduce to 6 weeks. This is two weeks more than the minimum standard being introduced by the European Union and
New Zealand. Sow stalls are already banned in the
United Kingdom, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands and Finland. They are also banned in
Florida and are being phased out in
Arizona and Oregon in the
United States. Two of the largest pork producers in the
US and
Canada also recently announced their plans to phase out sow stalls. Follow this link to find out more about their plans.
- Heavily pregnant and nursing sows will be confined for up to 6 weeks of each reproductive cycle in farrowing crates, before their young are prematurely weaned. These crates, which measure 0.5 x 2.2m, are even smaller than sow stalls.
- Pig producers will not be obligated to provide access to the outdoors where pigs can engage in natural behaviours such as grazing, wallowing in mud, walking around and nosing or manipulating their environment;
- Painful mutilations of young piglets including tail docking, teeth clipping and castration without pain relief, will continue to be permitted; and
- Natural materials such as straw for sleeping and nesting, while encouraged, will not be mandatory, rendering many pigs subject to a miserable life on concrete floors.
Pregnant female pigs are some of the most cruelly treated animals in the world. This is their maternity suite, commonly called a 'sow stall' by the industry.
Photograph provided by Animals Australia. |
You can download a complete copy of the Revised Code, from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s website or by following this link (http://www.publish.csiro.au/pid/5698.htm)
To read Voiceless's analysis of the Revised Code, please follow this link.
The table below outlines the status and effect of the Code of Practice for pigs in each Australian State and Territory.*
|
State
|
Revision of Code enacted into Law? |
If no, what is enacted?
|
Effect | |
NSW
|
No
|
No reference in Act or Regulations to Code of Practice. |
Not a complete defence to an act of cruelty but evidence of compliance may be admitted in a prosecution under the Act. 1 | |
QLD
|
No
|
Act refers to 1998 version of Model Code.2
|
As above 3 | |
WA
|
No |
Act refers to WA Code, which has not been updated since new revision. It draws heavily on the 1998 version of Model Code.4
|
Compliance with the Code is a complete defence to an act of cruelty.5 | |
Victoria
|
Yes6 |
N/A
|
Compliance with the Code is a complete defence to an act of cruelty.7 | |
South Australia |
Yes 8 |
N/A |
Compliance with the Code is a complete defence to an act of cruelty.9 | |
Tasmania |
No
|
Act refers to Tasmanian Standard, which has not been updated since new revision. It draws heavily on the 1998 version of Model Code.10
|
Not enforceable.
| |
Northern Territory |
No
|
Revised Code has not been gazetted. 1998 version of Code therefore in effect.11
|
Compliance with the Code is a complete defence to an act of cruelty.12 | |
ACT |
No
|
Revised Code has not been published. 1998 version of Code therefore in effect.13
|
Compliance with the Code is a complete defence to an act of cruelty.14 |
Last Updated on 3 June 2008
___________________________
* Voiceless has used all reasonable endeavours to ensure that the information in this Table was current as at June 2008.
1 Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 (NSW), s34A; Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (General)
Regulation 2006 (NSW), reg 24.
2 Animal Care and Protection Act 2002 (Qld), s16; Animal Care and Protection Regulations 2002 (Qld), Schedule 1
3 Animal Care and Protection Act 2002 (Qld), s16
4 Code of Practice for Pigs in Western Australia 2003 enacted pursuant to Animal Welfare Act 2002 (WA), s 94(2)(d); Animal Welfare (General) Regulations 2003 (WA), cl 6 and Schedule 1.
5 Animal Welfare Act 2002 (WA), s25.
6 Victoria Government Gazette, No. G10, 6 March 2008, 463-488.
7 Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 (Vic), s6
8 Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulation 2000 (SA), cl 10 and Schedule 2. Australian Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals, The Pig, 1983 edition, as amended from time to time, listed in Schedule 2.
9 Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1985 (SA), s 43.
10 Animal Welfare Act 1993 (Tas), s 44; See Department of Primary Industries and Water (Tasmania), Animal Welfare <http://www.dpiw.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/WebPages/EGIL-535VVF?open#Tasmania'sAnimalWelf>.
11 Animal Welfare Act (NT), s24.
12 Animal Welfare Act (NT), s79.
13 Animal Welfare Act 1992 (ACT), s22.
14 Animal Welfare Act 1992 (ACT), s20.
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