Victoria commits to phase out gas stunning of pigs

The Allan Government’s promise to phase out gas stunning of pigs relies on reaching national agreement and viable alternatives.

Farm Transparency Project image of pigs in a CO2 gas chamber.

The Victorian government has given its “in principle” support to phasing out gas stunning of pigs and the introduction of CCTV camera in abattoirs.

However in its response to the Parliamentary Inquiry into the Welfare of Pigs in Victoria, the government stated its support was conditional on reaching national agreement on the phase out of gas stunning with viable commercial alternatives.

Australian research and the evidence of animal activists’ uncut footage taken inside Victorian abattoirs shows CO2 gas chambers take an average 22 seconds to render pigs unconscious.

But globally no alternative has been found to stun pigs in their social groups, which is critical to minimising stress.

The government has also given its in principle support on investigating phasing out blunt force trauma to dispatch pigs on farms, sow stalls and farrowing crates, and the introduction of enrichment aids - but again, it stated all phase outs would be best achieved through national standards.

Agriculture Minister Ros Spence said Victoria had some of the best produce in the world and part of that included having high animal welfare standards, and that the changes would ensure Victoria’s pig industry can continue to thrive on the global stage.

“We look forward to continuing to work with industry and animal advocacy groups to start implementing the recommendations to improve the way pigs are treated and cared for on Victorian farms,” Ms Spence said.

Opposition agriculture spokeswoman Emma Kealy said the government’s decision to seek national agreement on standards boded well for the new year’s introduction of a new Animal Care and Protection Bill.

Ms Kealy said the Opposition wanted to ensure any regulations introduced under the Bill did not go beyond national standards and guidelines.

However Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell said the national standards were not mandatory and were “a joke”.

Ms Purcell said she was pleased with the government’s response to the inquiry, which she chaired.

“They’ve accepted almost every recommendation and I’m particularly pleased by their commitment that they will start consultation work in 2025.” she said.

Victorian Farmers Federation pig group president David Wright said it would be “completely wrong for Victoria to unilaterally set animal welfare standards that are not aligned with the national approach”.

“We welcome the government affirming this position in its response to the inquiry.

“The behaviours of animal activists, who invade family farms in an attempt to create shock is a political tactic, must be rejected and not used as the basis for dismantling animal welfare laws.

“Changes to animal welfare laws moving forward must be done in a balanced way that acknowledges scientific evidence, the impact on industries and community views.”

“The government has made a strong commitment to work with the pig industry to progress animal welfare standards, and the VFF will actively participate in the development of new regulations.”

Victoria’s pig industry is worth $334 million, with 250 commercial pig farm businesses in operation and employs over 1900.