NAWAC review of pig crates

The National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) is reviewing standards on farrowing crates and mating stalls for pigs. Read about the progress of this work.

NAWAC is reviewing pig crate standards

The High Court declared in November 2020 that the standards on farrowing crates and mating stalls for pigs are unlawful and invalid. NAWAC is reviewing the current science, global best practice, and regulation of farrowing and mating systems for pigs. NAWAC will advise the Minister responsible for animal welfare on the farming system changes needed to protect sow and piglet welfare by May 2021.

A subcommittee has been formed to review the animal welfare performance of available farrowing systems to identify those systems that align with the requirements of the Animal Welfare Act 1999. They meet regularly, hear from expert speakers, and make farm visits.

A working group has also been formed to review the remainder of the code of welfare for pigs, so that a comprehensive package of amendments to the standards for pig welfare can be publicly consulted on in mid-2021.

NAWAC pig subcommittee meeting summaries

2021

2020