Recent changes to animal welfare legislation
Animal Welfare (Pig Industry) Regulations
The following regulation under the Animal Welfare (Pig Industry) Regulations came into effect on 1 July 2012:
11. Pigs confined in group enclosures
A person in charge of a pig that is kept confined in a group enclosure must
ensure that:
(a) for each sow kept in the enclosure — the floor space of the enclosure
is not less than 1.4 square metres; and
(b) for each female pig, other than a sow, weighing more than 100
kilograms kept in the enclosure — the floor space is not less
than one square metre; and
(c) in any other case — for each pig kept in the enclosure, the
floor space of the enclosure is not less than the number
of square metres calculated in accordance with the
following formula —
0.030 x P 0.67
Where:
P is the average weight in kilograms of each pig
kept in the enclosure.
Penalty: a fine of $2500.
Pig producers must ensure that any pigs confined in group enclosures are provided with at least the minimum floor space requirements stated in the regulation. These space requirements are taken from the nationally agreed Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals - Pigs 3rd edition 2008.
A copy of the Animal Welfare (Pig Industry) Regulations can be found at the State Law Publisher’s website or by contacting the Animal Welfare Regulation on the contact details below.