The livelihood of Australian pig farmers is totally dependent on producing a high quality product. A high quality pork product requires a healthy pig and excellence in animal care. Pig farmers understand better than anyone the crucial importance of a high standard of care for each and every animal on their farm.

Pigs can be aggressive animals and aggression between sows increases in the early stage of pregnancy. During this vulnerable time, individual housing is the best way to ensure sows are getting food and are totally protected from bullying, bites, injuries and the increased chance of miscarrying their babies.

The average sow weighs over 250 kg - equivalent to 3 standard fridges. During the short and chaotic period new piglets are suckling, they are extremely vulnerable to being crushed to death by their mother. The temporary use of farrowing crates plays a crucial role in protecting piglets from being crushed.

The Australian pork industry recognises that, there is always room for improvement in our housing systems and practices and that is why the industry has spent millions each year on research and much more on innovation and on-farm improvements to get the balance right. Strong progress has been made and innovations to improve welfare are gaining ground. Furthermore, a deadline has been imposed for farmers to cut the maximum time a sow is allowed to stay in a stall by more than half, to just the most vulnerable first 6 weeks of pregnancy.

Australia's animal welfare regulations are specifi cally designed to care for and protect the welfare of our pigs. Australia is the one of the few countries in the world where the welfare of pigs is protected by a Model Code of Practice. The Code of Practice was developed along with vets, regulators and welfare groups and approved by the Primary Industries Ministerial council in 2007. The code is enforceable by law, policed by state authorities and backed by the threat of prosecution and severe penalties, including jail terms.