Regulations

Australia’s animal welfare regulations are limited when it comes to caring for the physiological and psychological needs of our pigs. In Australia, pigs do not come under the umbrella of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, instead they come under the Model Code of Practice for the welfare of pigs. The Code covers basic needs such as food and shelter but does not take into account the needs associated with an intelligent, social animal such as the pig.

Farrowing crates will not prevent all piglets being crushed by their mothers.  Nothing will.  Farrowing crates do allow easy handling of the sow and litter at a time when the sow can be quite aggressive as she is trying to protect her young.  This is exacerbated by her inability to be near her piglets due to the restrictive bars surrounding her.

The australian feral pig populations are testament to the fact that pigs will thrive in an open environment.  In the wild a sow will build a huge protective nest for her piglets from sticks, grasses and mud.  The piglets will spend most of their time hidden here with their mother laying nearby to protect them.  If threatened, the sow will divert the attention of the aggressor by moving away from the nest and standing her ground.

Pigs need to be given space and freedom and an understanding of their behaviour by the producer to thrive in a commercial situation.