Pork industry cries wolf on sow stalls

A heated media statement from the WA Pork Producers Association entirely mis-characterises today’s upcoming debate in Parliament, claiming that the Greens are calling for an immediate sow stall ban. The motion, which will be debated in the Legislative Council this evening (April 5), would amend proposed Government regulations to prohibit the tight confinement of pregnant pigs in gestation stalls in WA by 2017.

Hon. Lynn MacLaren MLC, the WA Greens spokesperson for animals said “The ferocity of Mr Cox’s statements demonstrates why the Agriculture Minister himself might feel pressure to retain the out-of-step regulations.”

“The Australian pig industry has already voted to voluntarily phase out sow stalls by 2017. However, the squeals from WA’s pig industry leader indicate that perhaps even the voluntary commitment is half-hearted,” Ms MacLaren added.

“Should the motion succeed, then six years from now, the tight confinement of pregnant sows in stalls would be prohibited in piggeries. If the industry is sincere about voluntarily phasing them out over the same time period, there is nothing to fear from aligning the regulations,” said Ms MacLaren.

The WA Pork Producers Association’s statistics claim that a large number of the 28,000 sows in WA are already liberated from these publicly unpopular practices.

Sow stalls confine a pregnant mother pig (a breeding sow) for the majority of her life in a small metal cage required to be only 1cm longer and wider than her body. Pregnant females confined in sow stalls are denied the ability to turn around, to exercise, or to express most natural behaviours. Group housing systems are used elsewhere with good welfare outcomes.

The WA regulations permit unlimited use of sow stalls for another 6 years. After that time, the regulations limit confinement to six weeks during a pig’s 16 week pregnancy. The motion to be debated in Parliament today would ban the use of sow stalls entirely after 2017.

Sow stalls have been banned or are being phased out in the UK, Sweden, Finland, Netherlands and in six states of the USA. Their use will be severely restricted in the EU from 2013.

The Australian pig industry has been on notice since about 1980 (when the first Codes were proposed by industry) that they should consider alternatives to sow stalls due to community concerns and scientific findings. Last year Tasmania became the first Australian State to announce a ban on sow stalls by 2017. The decision was followed by Coles' announcement that it would make all its home brand pork products 'sow stall free' by 2014 and the Australian pig industry's vote for a voluntary phase out of sow stalls by 2017. The ACT is also currently considering a ban. 

“I think change is in the wind – some people fear change while others embrace it,” Ms MacLaren concluded.

Listen to Lynn's interview on Country Hour.