Page 113 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 25 February 2014

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was first being debated for banning there was plenty of opposition and cries of, “It’s for their own good.” But 14 years down the track, we citizens of Canberra are now completely used to the ban on tail docking. Tail docking is now banned across Australia and thousands of dogs have happier lives as a result.

Let me turn to sow stalls, as this bill outlaws one other cruel factory farming practice—that is, the keeping of pigs in sow stalls and gestational crates. As with the move away from caged eggs, there has been much consumer sentiment away from pork produced using sow stalls. Members may be aware that late last year Coles supermarkets ceased using meat produced from pigs kept in sow stalls in its Coles brand pork, ham and bacon products.

Pigs are inquisitive, affectionate and intelligent animals and life for a mother pig confined in a sow stall or a gestational crate is miserable. Pigs suffer terribly in factory farms. The relentless boredom of confinement in a sow stall drives some pigs insane. The constant rubbing against the bars of the stall results in pressure sores for some sows and lameness in others. Pigs in factory farms never feel grass beneath their trotters, only concrete and metal.

While there are no intensive pig farms currently operating in the territory, I want to ensure that none is ever established. This is about creating a clear operating environment for businesses. I am sure that we are all aware that there are sow stalls just over the New South Wales border, and we need to ensure that the cruelty of sow stalls is not inflicted on pigs in this jurisdiction. This is about being clear on what is and is not acceptable when it comes to farming practices for animals.

I will continue to advocate for improved standards for farmed animals. Indeed, I will continue to advocate for improved standards for animals whenever the opportunity arises. With the passage of this bill I will be able to do so knowing that the ACT has already set a leading benchmark on this issue, becoming the first jurisdiction to legislate to outlaw these cruel factory farming practices. I commend the amendments to the Assembly.

Question put:

That the amendments be agreed to.

The Assembly voted—

Question so resolved in the affirmative.

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