Pig Farming in Tasmania

Did you know that pigs are smarter than most dogs?

Did you know that a pig has more sophisticated cognitive ability than a 3 year old?

Did you know that 90% of pigs farmed in Australia are farmed in factories?

It’s disgraceful.

I watched Stateline this morning after Mum wrote about the pig farm she saw on the episode.

A local animal rights activist, Emma Haswell, trespassed onto a Tasmanian pig farm with a video camera. The images she shot were horrific. Pigs kept in huge sheds, contained by metal bars in stalls smaller than their bodies. Their open wounds had been infested with maggots and they were quite literally, being eaten alive.

(image source)

These pigs? This piggery? They supply Woolworths supermarkets (one of Australia’s largest supermarket groups) with pork.

It made me feel sick and so terribly sad.

After she came out of the piggery, she rang RSPCA Tasmania and was basically told,‘We don’t work weekends. Ring the Police.’ So she did. The police were very helpful and by the end of the day, the worst of the pigs had been destroyed.

Although now, I’m wondering what happened to the rest of the pigs that we saw, who obviously weren’t so far gone as to have to be destroyed. Will the owners of the piggery get a vet in to see to them all? Somehow I doubt it. Things like that cost money.

The owner has since been charged with acts of animal cruelty and will appear before a judge.

But that’s not enough.

Woolworths has sent out a representative to examine the piggery and has told the owner that it is ‘unacceptable’. I agree. However, Woolworths have NOT cancelled their supply contract with this farm. They have NOT as far as I am aware even threatened to take their business elsewhere. What they have done is issue a list of suggested improvements and said that they will follow up once a fortnight.

All the while these pigs are suffering in horrendous conditions.

It isn’t acceptable.

What can you do?

You can refuse to buy pork or pork products (bacon, ham, sausages, etc) from a Woolworths supermarket.

You can source ethically produced meat from a local farmer or small butcher.

Or more importantly, you can send a copy of this form letter (below) off to Woolworths. One quick copy/paste email and you will have done your part.

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Dear Woolworths,

I am horrified to see how out of touch Woolworths is with its suppliers that it takes trespassing activists to let the company know about the sickening conditions of the pigs in your suppliers’ care that has come to light recently.

If you think a list of suggested improvements and a follow up once a fortnight is an appropriate response you are deluded. People are incensed about this! I would be on their doorstep daily if I valued my reputation and animal welfare meant anything to me apart from brand image.

I think the company has under-estimated how much this has and will continue to tarnish your reputation. I am shocked that this is how the company wants to be seen.

I myself will not be buying pork products from Woolworths until you can satisfy me that they are being ethically produced in a humane environment.

Sincerely

[Your Name Here]

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Woolworths Contact Form

Form letter kindly provided by Pete Goding (no url given, his comment is here) and slightly edited by me. I made mine out to the Hobart store, but I don’t suppose it matters which store you send it about.

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It is so horribly sad to see how these pigs are raised. You would not keep a dog or any other kind of animal in these conditions, so why keep an intelligent animal like a pig there?

I would appreciate it if you could send the email, stumble this post,  etc etc. Anything you can do to try and help these pigs.

Also, see here to read a run down of how a typical piggery works.

It’s sad. Terribly sad.