The Animal Welfare (Pigs) Regulations 2025 is a statutory instrument enacted under Tasmania’s Animal Welfare Act 1993. It establishes detailed requirements for the care, management, housing, health, and welfare of pigs kept for commercial purposes. The regulations are structured into six parts, covering preliminary definitions, general care standards, health and monitoring protocols, accommodation requirements, minimum space standards, and miscellaneous provisions including infringement notices. The regulations mandate that pigs must be cared for and inspected daily by competent stockpersons or individuals under their direct supervision. Practices such as tethering and the use of electric prodders are prohibited, and specific provisions govern the treatment of boars, including exercise and monitoring for aggression. A documented risk management system is required to ensure the welfare of pigs and the integrity of their environment, with obligations for record-keeping and contingency planning. Health-related procedures, including vaccinations, husbandry interventions, and sterilisation, must be performed by qualified personnel and, where applicable, under anaesthesia. A herd health program is required for groups of pigs, and humane destruction protocols are outlined for cases involving incurable illness or injury. Piglets must be monitored for suckling and provided with colostrum or appropriate substitutes, while weaners must be fed at least twice daily. Accommodation standards require protection from environmental hazards, proper ventilation systems with backup mechanisms, and cleanliness. Equipment must be maintained to prevent injury, and electrical systems must be safely installed. The confinement of sows to stalls is generally prohibited, with limited exceptions and strict record-keeping requirements. Farrowing crates are subject to time restrictions and design standards to ensure sow and piglet welfare. Minimum space requirements are aligned with the Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals: Pigs, and specific spatial criteria are prescribed for stalls and farrowing crates. The regulations also establish a schedule of infringement notice offences, specifying penalties for individuals and corporate entities.
Australie · 2025-06-23