RSPCA Victoria is urging the Victorian Government to go the whole hog and keep up the momentum on pig welfare following the release of its response to the parliamentary inquiry into pig welfare in Victoria.
Speaking about the response, RSPCA Victoria CEO Dr Liz Walker, said she was pleased to see pig welfare prioritised but encouraged the Government to maintain a sense of urgency around the implementation of improvements.
"While we're pleased the Victorian Government has supported many of the recommendations, we're concerned waiting for the development of nationally agreed standards and guidelines to ban sow stalls, improve stunning methods, and provide enrichment will simply take too long to develop and gain agreement," Dr Walker said.
"While we understand the need for national consistency, the national Standards and Guidelines for Poultry took nearly a decade to develop.
"The industry has already recognised the need for sow stalls to be phased out, with 80% already making the change[1].
"Nothing is stopping the Victorian Government from progressing vital improvements like mandating an end to sow stalls, providing enrichment, and pain relief for husbandry procedures right now.
"In order to turn these recommendations into action, we urge the Victorian Government to expedite the release of the Animal Care and Protection Bill and take the lead in the development of the national Standards and Guidelines for Pigs as the current Model Code of Practice is now over 16 years old and long out of date."
RSPCA Victoria's submission to the Inquiry made 18 recommendations, focusing on increasing investment into research into alternative stunning methods, phasing out close confinement such as sow stalls and conventional farrowing crates, providing enrichment for pigs instead of barren environments, and ending painful husbandry procedures for piglets.
"Pigs are social and intelligent animals and good animal welfare must be inherent in farm animal production," Dr Walker continued.
"We're committed to working with farming communities and other stakeholders to ensure continuous improvement, so pigs have a good life and a humane death."
RSPCA Victoria gave evidence at the public hearing for the inquiry into pig welfare in Victoria following its submission in January 2024.
RSPCA Victoria believes making these changes can bring Victoria's pork industry in line with world leaders such as the UK, New Zealand, and Canada, making it more sustainable.
