Go the whole hog, says RSPCA

Only six of the recommendations have been supported in full, with the government rejecting two of the recommendations and supporting 10 of them ‘in principle’.

The government rejected the need for an independent office of animal protection and also the mandatory reporting of semen procurement and impregnation used in artificial insemination.

RSPCA Victoria released a statement which urged the government to go the ‘whole hog’ with the recommendations.

RSPCA Victoria chief executive officer Liz Walker said the government needed to maintain a sense of urgency around the report’s suggested improvements.

“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,” Dr Walker said.

“The industry has already recognised the need for sow stalls to be phased out, with 80 per cent already making the change.”

One of the six fully supported recommendations was to replace the outdated Code of Practice for pig welfare with national standards and guidelines.

Dr Walker said alignment with the national standards and guidelines could take too long.

“Poultry took nearly a decade to develop,” she said.

“In order to turn these (inquiry) recommendations into action, we urge the Victorian Government to expedite the release of the Animal Care and Protection Bill.”

The government said investigation into commercially viable alternatives to carbon dioxide, blunt force trauma, sow stalls and farrowing crates and enrichment aids would be best achieved through national standards.

Victorian Agriculture Minister Ros Spence said Victoria already had high animal welfare standards.

“These changes will ensure Victoria’s pig industry can continue to thrive on the global stage,” Ms Spence said.

“We look forward to continuing to work with industry and animal advocacy groups to start implementing the recommendations to improve the way pigs are treated.”

VFF Pig Group president David Wright said the VFF welcomed the government choosing to align animal welfare standards with the national approach and criticised animal welfare groups.

“We welcome the government affirming this position in its response to the inquiry,” Mr Wright said.

“The VFF will actively participate in the development of new regulations.

“The behaviours of animal activists, who invade family farms in an attempt to create shock as a political tactic, must not be used as the basis for dismantling animal welfare laws.

“Changes must be done in a balanced way that acknowledges scientific evidence, the impact on industries and community views.”

A statement from animal welfare advocacy group Farm Transparency Project slammed the report for ignoring the ‘overwhelming evidence’ provided by more than 10,000 submissions opposing current practices.

The statement said that research and development into carbon dioxide use to kill pigs (recommendation eight) had been long overdue.

“It has been almost 11 years since the horrific cruelty of carbon dioxide gas chambers, still touted as ‘humane’ and ‘best practice’ by industry and government, was first exposed,” the statement said.

“Last year, our investigations revealed that they are worse than ever.”

Farm Transparency Project also said the phasing out of pig confinements, such as farrowing crates and mating stalls, was unjustified.

The group said the government had acted as a ‘pawn’ for the pork industry’s advocates.

“Refusing requests to meet with animal advocacy groups, while making the time to extensively meet with industry representatives, further highlights the (government’s) true nature.”

Victoria’s pig industry is worth $334 million, with 250 commercial businesses employing more than 1900 workers.

The inquiry report can be found at https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/get-involved/inquiries/pigwelfare/reports