April 23, 2007

Australia to improve welfare on swine farms

Federal and state agriculture ministers in Australia are expected to sign an agreement on a new animal welfare code for pig producers.

Australian swine farmers state they are prepared for some limitations on sow stall use, changes to pen sizes and stocking rates following the demand of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals- Australia to totally ban sow stalls.

But New South Wales Farmers Federation (NSWFF) spokesman Dugald Walker says if the changes should not go too far as this will force swine farmers to forced out of the business.

He said the ministers should conform with the gradual modifications and should base their decisions made on science, not on hysterics made by activists.