Page 1366 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 28 March 2012
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conditions for poultry set out under the national code—the model code of practice for the welfare of animals: domestic poultry.
The bill also addresses intensive pig farming by banning the use of sow stalls and farrowing crates so that only free range pig farming could occur in the ACT. We do acknowledge that currently there is no commercial pig farming in the ACT but this is still an important issue because we do not want to see it start here. In intensive pig farming, pregnant pigs are confined to sow stalls, also known as gestation crates, which make feed management easier and prevent pigs from biting each other. The stalls, however, are about the same size as the pig, which makes movement all but impossible. They are then moved to even smaller farrowing crates until their piglets are weaned.
This bill, as well as ensuring, if it is passed, that we will never have sow stalls in the ACT, also makes a statement that it is an unacceptable practice. It adds to the growing movement to get rid of this unacceptable part of animal husbandry. This issue has been recognised in Tasmania, which will phase out sow stalls for pigs, with the first restrictions taking place in 2014.
In addition, the bill makes minor improvements to requirements introduced in the Eggs (Cage Systems) Legislation Amendment Act 2009 which required retail cage eggs to be displayed separately from other eggs, and with descriptive signage, in the ACT. There has now been considerable experience with how this legislation works, so this bill proposes to make two changes.
The first change is to no longer require a red border to separate the different types of eggs. We understand that some customers have actually seen the red border as a sign that there is a sale on; thus it is misleading people. The second requirement is to make labelling a strict liability offence, which will enhance the enforceability of the provisions.
I commend this bill to the Assembly. I am very pleased that cage egg production is again on the Assembly’s agenda, and I very much hope that the bill will be supported.
Debate (on motion by Ms Gallagher) adjourned to the next sitting.
Planning and Development (Public Notification) Amendment Bill 2012
Ms Le Couteur, pursuant to notice, presented the bill and its explanatory statement.
Title read by Clerk.
MS LE COUTEUR (Molonglo) (10.16): I move:
That this bill be agreed to in principle.
The Planning and Development (Public Notification) Amendment Bill 2012, which I will just call “the bill”, because it is a long title, has been developed because the
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