How the industry is driving change
Along with other agricultural industries, the Australian pork
industry recognises that there is always room for improvement in
our housing systems and practices. That is why the industry has
invested millions of dollars into research, innovation and on-farm
improvements to get the balance right. Strong progress has been
made and innovations to improve welfare are gaining ground.
The industry has:
- Imposed a deadline to cut the maximum time sows spend in short
term individual housing by more than half - from 16 weeks to 6
weeks.
- Worked with vets, regulators and welfare groups such as the
RSPCA to develop a legal framework to protect pig welfare, based on
a Model Code of Practice.
- Invested millions of dollars into research into pig
welfare.
- Implemented a rigorous Quality Assurance system (APIQ), which
ensures facilities must be maintained to a high standard and
defines that producers must have a system for animal welfare
management.
- Implemented its own, voluntary 5 year Pork Industry Animal
Welfare Strategy, to drive ongoing improvement.
- Invested significant amounts into on-farm facility upgrades and
improvements.
- Assisted in the development of a comprehensive training program
to ensure stockpersons have the skills to provide the best quality
care for their animals.