End Australia's Dependence on Stalls

The Australian pig industry (APL) has voted to pursue a voluntary phase out of the use of sow stalls by 2017. This decision is an important step forward for the welfare of 300,000 mother pigs in Australia and was brought about by the continuous pressure from consumers and concerned citizens showing that our society does not condone such cruel treatment of animals.

Unfortunately Australia's mother pigs can still be confined in these tiny barren crates -- denied the ability even to turn around -- for most of their productive lives during the coming years. Not only this, but other cruelties continue to be endorsed by the Australian pig industry such as confinement in even smaller farrowing crates and painful mutilations of piglets without anaesthetic.

Whilst consumers have clearly shown they do not wish to see sow stall pork products on supermarket shelves, phasing out sow stalls from Australian factory farms will only solve part of the problem, since a large proportion of processed pork products such as bacon, ham and smallgoods sold in Australia (approximately two thirds) comes from pigs raised in factory farms overseas.

Last year Coles announced that all their pig products -- regardless of country of origin -- will be sow stall free by 2014. This sets an important precedent for other companies to follow.

Please support our campaign to ensure that all pig products sold in Australia are sow stall free. George Weston Foods (producer of Don, KR Castlemaine, Watsonia) has an estimated smallgoods market share of 35%. Please urge them to follow the lead of Coles and refuse to support producers who continue to confine pigs in sow stalls.

Take Action!

Subject: (please enter a subject line) Dear George Weston Foods, (please edit the letter below, or send as-is) The Australian pig industry recently announced its intention to phase out the use of cruel sow stalls in Australia. I applaud the decision, but I am aware that a large quantity of pig meat imported into Australia for the production of bacon, ham and smallgoods will still come from systems that use sow stalls. Coles has committed to making their home brand pork, bacon and ham product range completely sow stall free by 2014. I urge you, as one of the major smallgoods producers in Australia, to make a similar commitment and to require all pig meat in your products, whether from Australia or overseas, to be sow stall free. Such a decision will be applauded by caring consumers and will demonstrate that you share your customers' concern for animal welfare. Sincerely, Your Name

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