Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals: Pigs

The Code recognises that the basic requirement for the welfare of pigs is a husbandry system, managed by trained and skilled stock-people to ensure that basic needs of pigs are met:

• Readily accessible appropriate and sufficient food and water
• Adequate shelter to protect from climatic extremes
• Opportunity to display appropriate patterns of behaviour
• Physical handling in a manner which minimises the likelihood of unreasonable or unnecessary pain or distress
• Protection from, and/or rapid diagnosis and correct treatment of injury or disease
• Freedom for necessary movement including to stand, stretch and lie down
• Visual and social contact with other pigs

This Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals has been prepared by the Animal Welfare Working Group (AWWG) for the Primary Industries Ministerial Council (PIMC). The AWWG is made up of representatives from CSIRO, Animal Health Australia, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry - Australia, and from each of the State Departments responsible for agriculture. Extensive consultation has taken place with industry and animal welfare organisations in the development of the Code.

This new edition supercedes the Second Edition, SCARM Report 66.