Whenever you are in charge of an animal in Queensland you have a legal duty of care to that animal. Being in charge of an animal usually means that you own or have custody of it.
Having a duty of care to an animal means you are legally obliged to care for it by providing for its needs in a reasonable way for:
- food and water
- accommodation or living conditions
- the display of normal patterns of behaviour
- treatment of disease or injury
- handling the animal.
Animal welfare codes of practice that have been adopted under the Queensland Animal Care and Protection Act 2001 (ACPA) contain information and guidelines to assist people to meet their duty of care obligations.
What is the pig welfare code?
The Australian Model code of practice for the welfare of animals - pigs (3rd edition) is an adopted code under the ACPA. It contains information and guidelines to provide minimum acceptable levels of animal welfare for pigs. It applies to all ages and types of pigs, whether kept commercially or as a hobby.
The code promotes animal welfare outcomes for pigs by defining acceptable pig management practices and encouraging considerate and efficient treatment and handling of pigs in all types of production systems.
The code has been developed in consultation with animal industries, animal welfare groups and relevant state and federal government departments. It is one of a series of national animal welfare codes for livestock. The current code (3rd edition) was published in 2008.
What information is in the pig welfare code?
The pig code is intended as a guide for people responsible for the welfare of pigs. It recognises that the basic requirement for welfare of pigs is a husbandry system dependant on trained and skilled stockpersons and which is appropriate to the pig’s physiological and behavioural needs.
The code is not a comprehensive manual on how to care for pigs and does not provide detailed information such as diets or animal health regimes.
The code covers the animal welfare aspects of:
- accommodation to ensure adequate space including to stand, stretch and lie down
- shelter to protect from temperature extremes and environmental factors
- cleaning and waste control
- appropriate food and water
- handling in a manner which minimises the likelihood of unreasonable or unnecessary pain or distress
- inspections and rapid diagnosis and correct treatment of injury or disease
- additional requirements for extensive conditions
- guidelines on carrying out minor surgical procedures
- humane destruction.
Who has a duty of care to pigs and should be familiar with the pig welfare code?
Anyone who owns, manages or handles pigs may have a legal duty of care and be responsible for ensuring acceptable welfare outcomes for pigs in their charge.
This includes:
- pig owners (commercial and non-commercial)
- pig managers
- pig handlers
- contractors
- managers and abattoir staff
- drivers
- veterinarians
- pig processors
- transport company managers and staff.
Are there any other welfare codes relevant to pigs?
Yes.
The code of practice for the land transport of pigs should be read by everyone involved in transporting pigs.
Further information on the appropriate care and handling of pigs at slaughter is part of the animal welfare code for livestock at slaughtering establishments.
Those involved in feral pig control should be familiar with the code of practice for the destruction or capture, handling and marketing of feral livestock animals.
Remember!
- Acceptable animal welfare outcomes depend on considerate and humane treatment of pigs.
- People managing and handling pigs must be competent.
- Ignorance is no excuse for inappropriate treatment of pigs.
- Good stock people are flexible in their approach to pig management and handling.
- Compliance with the pig code will:
- provide pigs with an agreed animal welfare outcome
- assist you to meet your legal duty of care to the pigs in your charge
- assist the pig industry to demonstrate its commitment to agreed animal welfare standards.
How to access the welfare codes of practice.
The pig code and other codes which include information about pigs can be viewed, downloaded and printed from the website of CSIRO Publishing - Primary Industries Report Series at no cost. Paperback codes can also be purchased via this website.
