Media Release Media Release Media Release

Thursday June 29th 2006

‘Charlotte’s Web’ Willie calls for reform

‘Willie’ one of the stars of the soon-to-be-released movie version of ‘Charlotte’s Web’ and Against Animal Cruelty Tasmania (AACT) will today be presenting the case for an end to sow stalls in a specially created classroom on Parliament Lawns from 1:00p.m. – 2:00p.m. According to Sow Stall campaign co-ordinator for Against Animal Cruelty Tasmania (AACT), Emma Haswell:

The Government is recommending that sows be locked up for months on end in stalls so small that they are unable to even turn around. Further, that they be forced to lie with no bedding material on cold concrete. These conditions are unacceptable. If a dog or cat was forced to endure such hardship, their owner would be prosecuted.

After a lecture from Willie’s trainer, classroom participants will be asked to write letters to a Federal Government review of the Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals – The Pig that is currently underway. Emma Haswell stating:

As well as confinement, the Federal Government’s review is recommending that surgical procedures for piglets such as tail docking and tooth clipping continue to be carried out without anaesthesia. These highly sensitive, intelligent animals deserve much better.

Emma Haswell concluding:

Sow stalls have been banned in Sweden, the United Kingdom, Finland and the Netherlands and are also being phased out in all other European Union countries. Australia should take the lead in the Oceania region and become the first country to ban these torturous contraptions.

For further Information: AACT Spokesperson – Emma: 0408 658 356