March 7, 2014

The Australian pork industry announces that 60% of pig producers are now 'sow stall free'.

Sow stalls confine a pregnant pig for the duration of the pregnancy in a small space, and that process raised animal welfare concerns, leading to the industry phasing out sow stalls.

Andrew Spencer, chief executive officer of Australian Pork Limited, says their definition of 'sow stall free' still means some time will be spent in stalls, but he says that is necessary to stop piglets being crushed by their mother.

"There have been some bodies that have complained about that little 10% period, that they're still in some fairly confining situations, but that's for very good reasons, because one of those is in a farrowing crate at the end of pregnancy. That farrowing crate, we believe, is protecting the lives every year of between half a million and two million piglets," Spencer added.