MAKING A DETAILED WRITTEN SUBMISSION

The National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) is calling for public submissions on the draft welfare code for pigs. NAWAC wants to hear whether their minimum standards and recommendations have gone too far or not far enough and welcomes comment on the content of the code and the proposed timing of changes. Please use this opportunity to tell NAWAC that their draft code falls well short from protecting of pigs from abuse.

Click here to download the draft code as a pdf file. 

The draft code allows the ongoing confinement of nursing sows in farrowing crates, and only tentatively talks about phasing out sow stalls many years from now. By making a submission, you will keep the pressure on NAWAC and the Government. Use this opportunity to let them know that you want to see far better protection for the pigs and an end to cruel confinement systems. 

Please address your submission to: animalwelfare@maf.govt.nz or post to: NAWAC Secretary, MAF Biosecurity, PO Box 2526, Wellington 6140. Click here for further details on how to make a submission OR simply send to the email address above. (NAWAC simply wish to know why you are opposed to the draft code of welfare). You can use some of the points below in your submission.

THE DRAFT CODE OF WELFARE FOR PIGS

1) Minimum Standard 12(c)
Allows pregnant sows to be confined for the full duration of the sow's pregnancy until 31 December 2012.

Outcome:
Sows can be crated for their entire lives up to that point taking into account that they are also confined to farrowing crates.

Comment:
According to economic analysis by MAF, only 18 farms use sow stalls for longer than four weeks. Bringing the 2012 date forward will therefore only affect these 18 farms who have refused to move with the times and reduce their sow stall use.

Your ask:
Call on NAWAC to bring the December 2012 date forward to June 2011

2) Minimum Standard 12(c)
Allows sow stalls to be used for the first four weeks after mating.

Outcome:
Sows will still be crated for up to 20 weeks per year, taking into account that sows are also confined to farrowing crates. NAWAC prefers to discontinue the use of sow stalls by December 2017.

Comment:
Fewer than 67 farms use sow stalls. The pork industry has known for many years that sow stalls do not fully meet the obligations of the New Zealand Animal Welfare Act (AWA). Phasing sow stalls out over a seven year time frame is therefore unreasonable, as it would allow a practice that breaks the law to continue for too long.

Your ask:
Call on NAWAC to phase out sow stalls by December 2013.

3) Minimum Standard 11(d)
Allows the use of farrowing crates on an ongoing basis for four weeks after farrowing.

Outcome:
Sows will still be confined to farrowing crates for ten weeks per year forever.

Comment:
Farrowing crates also do not meet the obligations of the AWA. To let their use continue is therefore wrong and goes against the intentions of the Act. Farrowing crates are just as cruel as sow stalls.

Your ask:
Call on NAWAC to end the use of farrowing crates by December 2013.

4) Minimum Standard 11(d)
Allows the use of farrowing crates for four weeks after farrowing.

Comment:
Other systems to protect the piglets, but also allow the sow a better quality of life, are available. Piglets are at greatest risk of being crushed by their mother in the 48-72 hours after birth. If farrowing crates are used they should not be used longer than four days.

You ask:
Call on NAWAC to limit the use of farrowing crates to four days after farrowing until these crates are banned altogether.

5) Minimum Standard 2
Sets minimum standards regarding feed requirements.

Comment:
While pigs are generally fed a diet that meets their nutritional needs, their diet often lacks sufficient roughage or bulk to satisfy the animals' appetite. This is a leading cause of aggression and unhappiness, especially in sows. Aggression is the main reason used by farmers to defend the use of sow stalls.

Your ask:
Call on NAWAC to add that the pigs must be fed in a manner that satisfies their appetite.

6) Minimum Standard 6
Sets minimum standards with regards to the animals' housing.

Comment:
Pigs require straw or other bedding to enable them to express their natural needs to forage and root. It also provides comfort when they lie down. Many factory farmed pigs are kept on bare concrete floors.

Your ask:
Call on NAWAC to ensure that all pigs are provided with sufficient straw or other manipulable material to enable them to express their need to root and forage, and to lie down comfortably.