1. The use of Dry Sow Stalls in New Zealand. BY EMILY YOUNG AND HANNAH VAN DEN BRINK

2. What is a sow stall?  Commonly known as a sow crate  Sow crates are used by farmers just after females are mated  They are about the same width and length as a female sow (60 centimetres wide and 2 metres long)  The sows are unable to turn around in these crates and tend to defecate and urinate where they lay  They are housed in these for the first 4 weeks of their 16 week pregnancy (The sows are very aggressive at this time)  Different from Farrowing Crates

3. Dry Sow Stalls VS Farrowing Crates Dry Sow Stalls  They are barred metal crate, with metal slate floors for the removal of effluent. They are 60cm wide and 2 metres long, just a fraction bigger than the sow herself.  Sow stalls are used by farmers just after females are mated.  They are only housed in these for the first 4 weeks of their 16 week pregnancy (The sows are very aggressive at this time).  These are used to manage the aggressive sows and to prevent hierarchal aggression towards other sows. Farrowing crates  Farrowing crates are different. They are barred metal cages with a separate area for the piglets to be able to move out of the way of the sow.  This is where the sow is placed at the end of her pregnancy to give birth.  They are used to decrease the amount of piglets that are squished by their mothers

4. Why have Sow Crates?  Sow stalls were developed 30 years ago, for managing the negative effects of hierarchical aggression, and also for parasite control.  It stops aggressive behaviour like ear, tail and vulva biting.  There wasn’t treatments available at that time (for controlling parasites)  From a stock management perspective sows are easier to manage  Housing greater numbers = Greater profits

5. Advantages of sow stalls  Limits aggression and injury to sows  Easier to manage the animals  Have the ability to house more animals in a smaller area = higher profit  Reduce competition for resources  Provide safety for the workers  Provides ability to control the body condition of the sows Disadvantages of sow stalls  Cruel to the pigs as…  Prevents the sows performing natural foraging behaviours and nest building behaviours  Restricts natural moving behaviours  Limits social interactions between sows  The sows cant defecate or urinate away from their laying area  Uncomfortable as pigs cannot turn around and are laying on cold metal slates  Physical disorders such as joint damage, leg weakness and urinary tract infections due to lack of exercise and confinement on hard floors.  Chronic stress, aggressive and abnormal behaviour due to boredom from excessive periods of confinement.

6. Whats being done about these Crates?  NAWAC (National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee) say that…  “Between 3 December 2012 and 3 December 2015 mated sows and gilts must not be confined in dry sow stalls for more than four weeks after mating.”  “After 3 December 2015 mated sows and gilts must not be confined in dry sow stalls after mating. If individually confined in a pen, sows must have sufficient space so that they can stand up, turn around without touching the walls, and lie comfortably in a natural position, and be provided with separate dunging, lying and eating areas.”  In other words Sow crates will be out of use by 2015 One news televised account: http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/govt-says-nz-can-now-lead-way-humane-pig- farming-3934993

7. Reasons to ban Sow StallsReasons to keep Sow Stalls Cruel Media coverage "The strength of the public's reaction against the television exposé showing pigs locked in cages, chewing bars and looking demented, with festering sores on them - forced the government's hand, and they had no alternative but to get rid of them.“ Green Party Animal Welfare spokesperson Sue Kedgley said.” Studies have shown free range tastes better New Zealand wants to maintain their “Clean and Green” image Unnatural Develop unnatural behaviours due to boredom and lack of stimulation Stops consumers boycotting pork products due to the inhumane raising of pigs It is going to cost farmers around 20 million dollars to phase these stalls out Controls the sows aggressive behaviour Higher production numbers Alternative management systems haven’t been researched enough With the stalls it is easier to manage the sows health Will cost the consumer 4.7% more on inflated pork prices There will be a drop in pork production as some farmers will exit the industry Drop in production means we will have to import more pork from overseas

8. PigCare™ & Animal Welfare  PigCare™ is an independent welfare auditing programme that checks that New Zealand’s pigs are being well cared for.  They check the pigs, the farm buildings, facilities and husbandry practices.  PigCare™ is continually checked to ensure the audit tests are up to date and abide by current standards. New Zealand is recognised as having some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world.  By buying pork products with the PigCare™ label, consumers can be confident they are supporting high animal welfare standards.

9. Who to contact if you have any animals welfare concerns: To report an animal welfare issue: 0800 00 83 33 Royal New Zealand SPCA (RNZSPCA) http://www.rnzspca.org.nz/contact-us/find-your- spca?category=1

10. A peak at a Free Range pig farm Havoc Pork Company Limited 759 Kaikorai Valley Road, Dunedin Free RangeHappy pigs No StallsNatural instincts Drug free http://www.havocpork.co.nz/news/happy- healthy-pigs

11. Questions??

12. Bibliography:  MPI – Pigs Animal Welfare (Pigs) Code of Welfare 2010  http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/animal-welfare/codes/pigs/index.htm http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/animal-welfare/codes/pigs/index.htm  Safe NZ  http://www.safe.org.nz/stop-factory-farming/pigs/cruelty/ (used for information and pictures) http://www.safe.org.nz/stop-factory-farming/pigs/cruelty/  Fresh Pork NZ  Http://www.freshporkfarmers.co.nz/skin_dryStalls.cfm?request=dryStalls Http://www.freshporkfarmers.co.nz/skin_dryStalls.cfm?request=dryStalls  NZ Pork  http://www.nzpork.co.nz/pigcare-and-animal-welfare http://www.nzpork.co.nz/pigcare-and-animal-welfare  Havoc Pork  http://www.havocpork.co.nz/news/happy-healthy-pigs http://www.havocpork.co.nz/news/happy-healthy-pigs  https://www.google.co.nz/search (sow stalls) https://www.google.co.nz/search

13. Bibliography  Picture (Slide 1):  http://www.farmsnotfactories.org/issues/abusing-animals/ http://www.farmsnotfactories.org/issues/abusing-animals/  Picture (Slide 2):  http://hrexach.wordpress.com/2013/11/05/gestation-crate-for-female-pigs- please-ban-them/ http://hrexach.wordpress.com/2013/11/05/gestation-crate-for-female-pigs- please-ban-them/  Picture (Slide 4):  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gestation_crate http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gestation_crate  Pictures (Slide 10):  http://www.havocpork.co.nz/news/happy-healthy-pigs http://www.havocpork.co.nz/news/happy-healthy-pigs  Picture (Slide 11):  http://www.animalsaustralia.org/features/victory-tasmania-bans-sow- stalls.php http://www.animalsaustralia.org/features/victory-tasmania-bans-sow- stalls.php