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June
2nd, 2006
New Draft Pig
Code
Enshrines Cruelty
Against Animal Cruelty Tasmania
joins with other animal groups such as Animals Australia in condemning
the new Draft Code of Practice for Pigs which continues to allow pigs
to be confined to small steel and concrete pens barely bigger than their
bodies.
The draft code, which was released
for public comment by the Federal Minister for Agriculture, Peter McGauran
yesterday, allows for sows to be incarcerated in sow stalls and farrowing
crates for their entire breeding lives until 2017, despite the fact that
such practices have been banned in the UK on animal welfare grounds. Even
after the 10-year ‘phase out’ sows can still be confined this
way for up to six weeks at a time. While the Minister’s media release
suggests that animal welfare groups supported the draft code, this is
disputed by Animals Australia who make it clear that none of the major
animal welfare concerns raised by them have been addressed in the draft
code.
Said AACT pig campaign spokesperson
Emma Haswell:
“I am appalled that both the pig industry and the Government consider
that it is still OK to keep animals in such appallingly cruel conditions.
Research has shown that pigs are as intelligent, if not more so, than
dogs. Yet we would never allow dogs to be confined to bare steel and
concrete pens that are so small that all they can do is stand up and
lie down".
Whilst the draft pig code is
open for public comment, animal groups are also critical of the manner
in which the public consultation process is being undertaken.
According to Ms Haswell:
"The Government has no plans to advertise that the code is open
for comment from the public. Those people who do want to comment on
the draft code are directed to complete a “survey” rather
than writing their own submission. This “survey”, which
the average consumer would find very confusing, appears to intentionally
discourage public comment on basic pig welfare, even though the average
person would find sow stalls and farrowing crates totally unacceptable"
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Against Animal Cruelty Tasmania
plans to hold a number of actions to highlight the plight of pigs in factory
farms and encourage submissions on the draft code during the 2 month public
consultation period.
"This shameful draft
code is nothing short of a code of cruelty, which if passed, would make
it legal for sows to be kept in conditions very much like those endured
by bears in Chinese bile farms. AACT will continue to fight to see the
most basic welfare and behavioural needs of pigs accommodated and urge
the public to join us. A civilised society would ban all factory farming
on animal welfare grounds. The very least the pig industry can do is
to bring a swift end the use of sow stalls and farrowing crates.”
Concluded Ms Haswell
For more information:
Emma Haswell, AACT Pig Campaign Coordinator, Mobile: 0408 658 356
For more information
on factory farming of pigs see www.savebabe.com
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