Right now, across Australia, tens of thousands of mother pigs (sows) are confined in small metal cages called sow stalls and farrowing crates. These cages are so restrictive that the animals cannot even turn around. This isn’t farming – it’s suffering.

For weeks on end, pregnant pigs (sows) are confined in metal crates known as sow stalls — deprived of movement, comfort, and social contact. After giving birth, they’re moved to farrowing crates that continue this torment, preventing them from caring for or even properly touching their piglets. This confinement causes immense physical and psychological distress.

These are not brief moments of restraint. These are months of extreme confinement, forced upon highly intelligent, social, and emotionally complex animals — all for the sake of cheap pork.

Many countries around the world have banned or severely restricted these practices. But in most of Australia, they are still legal.

Even though the pork industry promised to phase out sow stalls by 2017, undercover investigations continue to reveal their widespread use. The suffering continues, behind closed doors.

Here’s what you should know:

A sow may be confined for up to 16 weeks at a time, unable to take more than a step forward or back.
These systems have been banned in countries such as the UK, Sweden, and New Zealand – but they remain legal in many parts of Australia.
Pigs are intelligent, emotional beings who feel pain, fear, and even boredom. Keeping them in cages this way is inhumane and unnecessary.
Veterinary and animal welfare organisations, including the RSPCA and World Animal Protection, strongly oppose these practices. Humane alternatives already exist and are in use by progressive farms. It’s time for all Australian pigs to benefit from higher welfare standards.

We are calling on the Australian Government and state leaders to:

• Ban sow stalls and farrowing crates nationwide;
• Enshrine stronger legal protections for pigs and other farmed animals;
• Support farmers in transitioning to ethical, higher-welfare systems.

It’s time for Australia to live up to its values. Cruelty should never be standard practice.

Every voice matters. Every signature counts.

Together, we can end this cruelty.

By signing this petition, you are using your voice to stand up for mother pigs who cannot speak for themselves. You are calling for compassion, decency, and change.

Sign now. Speak up. Be their voice.

👉 Sign this petition and help end the suffering.
🐷 Because no mother should spend her life in a cage.