The sadness of Sow Stalls

It's a very sad image... I know. Imagine what it's like for the poor pig at this Australian factory pig farm.

People often ask me why I don't eat meat. Well it's not because I don't like the taste, I do. But the fact is so much of the meat we eat comes for animals that have been raised and treated with cruelty and lack of any respect. These animals give up their lives for people, the least we can do is treat them with some dignity and kindness. Unfortunately with the introduction of large scale factory farming, companies don't think it's cost effective to do so.

Pigs are only one example. Sow stalls have already been outlawed in the United Kingdom and Sweden and they are being phased out in the European Union, Florida (USA) and New Zealand. I wonder why is Australia still allowing it? Do you want to eat pork or bacon that is produced is this way?

Here are some facts about Sow Stalls and the pigs that are kept in them.

• Sow stalls are so small that pregnant pigs are not able to turn around or take more than one step forward or back
• Stalls cause stereotypies,repetitive purposeless behaviour and a sign of suffering
• Some studies have shown that over 90% of stall-housed sows exhibit stereotypic behaviour.
• Pigs can spend up to half their time in stereotypic behaviour.
• Stereotypies can result in physical damage or illness.
• Sows in stalls may well be ‘clinically depressed’.
• Stalls rate the lowest of all sow housing systems in terms of welfare.
• It is widely accepted that sow welfare is better in alternative systems.

Find out more visit: www.voiceless.org.au