Piggeries- Animal Housing

PIGGERIES — ANIMAL HOUSING

1201. Hon LYNN MacLAREN to the minister representing the Minister for Agriculture and Food:

Further to my question without notice 1187 of 24 November —

(1) Can the minister confirm that the “Revised Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals: Pigs”, third edition, permits the confinement of a pregnant sow to a stall for six weeks during each pregnancy, and a farrowing crate for six weeks after giving birth?

(2) As a sow is pregnant, on average, 2.2 times a year, can the minister confirm that even under the new restrictions it will be permissible to confine sows in these terribly confining conditions for about half the year?

(3) As restrictions on the use of sow stalls and farrowing crates do not apply until 2017—eight years from now—will the minister consider introducing regulations more urgently?

(4) If no to (3), why not?

(5) What are the current restrictions in Western Australia on the length of time a sow may be confined in sow stalls and farrowing crates?

(6) Is advance notice of piggery inspections given; and, if so, how much notice is given?

(7) How many piggery inspections have occurred in the past 12 months?

Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied:

I thank the member for some notice of this question.

(1) Yes.

(2) Yes; it is permissible to confine sows in stalls and farrowing crates for up to 12 weeks for each reproductive cycle, and this may occur just over twice a year on average.

(3) No.

(4) There is a nationally agreed process to consult with industry, animal welfare stakeholders and jurisdictional representatives to prepare national standards for animal welfare and for nationally consistent implementation of those standards in legislation. The Primary Industries Ministerial Council is the forum for endorsing model codes of practice and standards and guidelines on animal welfare.

(5) The regulations to underpin the “Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals: Pigs”, third edition, are currently in development in Western Australia. In relation to sow stalls and farrowing crates, the current draft regulations reflect the standards in the model code of practice.

(6)-(7) Investigations of animal welfare matters in piggeries are led by the Department of Local Government and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, in response to alleged cruelty or non-compliance with the Animal Welfare Act 2002. The Department of Agriculture and Food does not record, or have access to, information about inspections conducted under the Animal Welfare Act 2002. The lead agency for enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act is the Department of Local Government.