In Australia, most farmed pigs live in sheds of over-crowded stalls with concrete floors and mother pigs are kept pregnant and confined in sow stalls in a crate no larger than their body allowing only minor  movement.

The Code of Practice for pig production, while still allowing the use of sow stalls, also advocates confining sows in farrowing crates, and condones routine mutilations of young piglets without the use of pain killers, such as teeth clipping and castration.

Coles deserves congratulations for responding to consumer concerns by obtaining commitment from their producers to end the use of sow stalls so there should be no excuse for other Australian pig producers to not do the same. 

There is still, however, a long way to go for all producers to allow pigs to live a natural life. Pigs who are raised in factory-farmed conditions are denied this, never seeing the outside world or natural light. 

Pigs are as intelligent as the higher species of dogs, and cleaner. The industry needs to be regulated so that these animals are not subjected to a life of cruelty.  This will only happen if supermarkets provide the humanely sourced free range alternatives and if customers demand this availability.

Consumers need to be made aware of what goes on behind the scenes in the production of pork products. Animals Australia have detailed information of the farming methods on their website.

Major supermarket chains have the power to support the free-range industry and will respond to public pressure. Larger stores used to supply free-range pork products in the deli section but many have recently deleted the range.

Pre-packaged “bred free range” bacon and ham is a misleading term as the pigs still live their lives in factory conditions after being suckled.

‘Bred free range’ is not to live free range.

Please sign and support this petition to the major supermarket chains to help reduce the prevalence of this cruel industry where money is but before animal welfare.