Tasmanian Government putting animals first

The RSPCA today applauded the Tasmanian Government’s decision to ban hens in battery cages and fast tracking the phase out of pigs in sow stalls – the first state in Australia to do so.

RSPCA Australia CEO, Heather Neil said the announcement sent a strong signal that intensive confinement of pigs and layer hens is no longer acceptable and urges other states to follow Tasmania’s lead.

“This decision by the Tasmanian Government is progressive and will assist Tasmanian pig and hen producers to transition to higher welfare production systems,” said Ms Neil.

The Tasmanian Government and the Tasmanian Greens have consistently set the bar higher than the national code when it comes to animal welfare.

“Animal welfare has finally been put first and that’s a welcome shift in thinking - one we hope catches on in other states.”

“The RSPCA congratulates the Tasmanian Government and the Tasmanian Greens.”

“We know the vast majority of Australians prefer to eat humanely produced eggs and pork products and as more people find out how their food is produced they are finding intensive confinement of farm animals unacceptable.

“We’re seeing supermarkets stocking up on higher welfare products as a direct result of this demand, as well as growing interest from manufacturers and food service sectors in sourcing humanely farmed products.

“By signaling a phase-out of battery cages now, the Tasmanian Government has done the right thing by animals and the right thing by farmers by giving plenty of notice.

RSPCA Tasmania has worked closely with the Tasmanian Government on this and all other animal welfare matters.

The RSPCA has long campaigned for a ban on caged hens and sow stalls and works to educate consumers about where their food comes from and increase demand for higher welfare products through its Humane Food programs, RSPCA Approved Farming and Choose Wisely and its most recent campaign Hens Deserve Better www.hensdeservebetter.org.au .