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Fair Go For Farm Animals
Sign our Fair
Go For Farm Animals Petition
Each year Australians consume an average of 137 eggs and 107 kilos of
meat per person.
Its not often that we stop to think where these products have come from.
When you think of a farm, you might think of animals grazing in wide open
paddocks, sheepdogs, tractors and drovers on horseback.
But most of Australias meat and eggs do not come from the traditional
type of farm that you might imagine.
Farming today is big business, and in order to meet demand from here and
overseas, intensive methods have been developed that promote high production
levels for a lower cost and therefore, greater profits.
Sadly, these profits often come at the cost of the animals welfare.
Each year, many of Australias farm animals suffer from inhumane treatment
and cruelty that most people would consider unacceptable.
Yet, quietly and steadily, these cruel practices - such as battery hen
farming, live exports and the use of sow stalls continue.
They continue because they are not illegal: the RSPCA Inspectors who enforce
animal protection legislation cannot prosecute for cruelty to animals, as
long as producers are operating within the bounds of the law.
In order to make these practices illegal, Australians must tell their
governments federal and state - that cruelty to farm animals will not be
tolerated by our community.
What does a fair go for animals mean?
In Australia, we often use the term fair go to describe how we think
people should be treated. Our belief in a fair go is so strong, its grown
to become a part of our national culture.
The RSPCA believes that wherever animals are used by humans, they must be
treated humanely, compassionately and with consideration.
The term fair go emphasises that the RSPCA does not oppose the farming of
animals. We just think they should be given a fair go.
A Fair Go for Farm Animals means the RSPCA believes that as long as farm
animals are in our care, we have a responsibility to provide for (at least)
their basic needs, in accordance with the RSPCAs Five Freedoms.
These basic needs may vary between animals but can be described in general
terms: providing adequate space, food, and water; veterinary treatment when
required; shelter from the elements; and the freedom to express some
essential natural behaviours.
And if the animal is to be slaughtered, it should be done quickly and
humanely.
Some people think that because these animals will eventually die anyway,
its okay to treat them badly (its not).
Or that caring about farm animals means they wont be able to eat meat and
eggs anymore (it doesnt).
Animals in Australias farms dont have a union to represent them. They have
no way to argue for fair treatment or better conditions.
Together with the RSPCA, you can be the voice that demands farm animals be
given a FAIR GO.
What are the issues?
The Fair Go for Farm Animals campaign will focus on three issues that the
RSPCA believes are among the most important welfare concerns faced by farm
animals today.
Fair Go for sows
 Youve heard the phrase, as happy as a pig in mud? Well, you can be sure a
pregnant sow that spends most of her life in a metal crate that is only 60cm
wide with a concrete floor is not happy!
She can barely move or even turn her head.
Pigs are intelligent sociable animals, and if kept outdoors, will spend many
hours exploring their surroundings.
But a sow in a stall cant really mix with other pigs or her environment,
which may cause her distress and frustration.
Keeping a pregnant sow in a stall may provide some protection from possible
injury, can limit aggression between animals, and allows producers to watch
nutritional intake of individuals more closely.
But due to the physical restriction and boredom, a sow in a stall may
develop severe physical and behavioural problems.
Muscles and bones may deteriorate, causing pain and difficulty in moving.
Increased aggression and a repetitive swaying of the head may also develop.
These problems can be avoided by using a more humane system, such as group
housing several pigs in a straw yard, where they have room to move around.
Individual or electronic feeders can also be used to regulate food intake.
Fair Go for hens
 There isnt much doubt as to which comes first in Australias egg industry.
Most of Australias eggs are produced in cage (battery) systems, which are a
cheap and efficient way to produce a lot of eggs at a lower cost.
Unfortunately, this usually means each hen is standing on a wire floor space
the size of an A4 sheet of paper for her entire adult life.
Eventually this is likely to cause crippling and painful injuries and
deformities to her feet and legs.
She cant move freely, stretch or flap her wings. Hens have a very strong
natural instinct to perch and lay their eggs in a nest, and these behaviours
are completely denied in a battery system.
Already, many producers are using more humane barn-laid and free range egg
systems that provide protection from the elements and predators, while
allowing the hens to move around and behave more naturally (perching, dust
bathing and so forth).
Fair Go for livestock
 The long sea journey faced by up to 7 million Australian sheep, cattle and
goats each year is no pleasure cruise.
Many are transported long distances within Australia before reaching holding
yards or feedlots, where they are then loaded onto enormous ships destined
for Asia or the Middle East, with as many as 60,000 animals on one vessel.
The perilous journey from farm to slaughter can take up to three months in
total, and each year, tens of thousands of Australian animals will die as a
result of any one cause, or combination of the following: hunger, thirst,
serious injury, excessive heat and/or high levels of stress.
In addition, countless more will suffer but survive, only to reach a
destination where the Australian government has no control over their
treatment including how they are further transported, cared for and how
humanely they are slaughtered.
What makes this situation even more reprehensible is that continuing live
exports is completely unnecessary.
There is an alternative livestock that is to be slaughtered should be
humanely slaughtered here in Australia. The chilled or frozen meat can then
be transported to other parts of the country or overseas as required.
In 2004, around 123 Australian abattoirs were already Halal certified,
meaning they can process meat according to these strict religious and
cultural requirements.
Australia already exports chilled and frozen meat to every significant
market for live exports. This also means Australian live exports are
actually competing with Australia chilled and frozen meat in the same
overseas markets!
For example, a 16% drop in live sheep exports resulted in a 10% increase in
sheep slaughter in Australia during the 2004/2005 financial year. For as
long as live exports continue, chilled meat exports will not realise their
potential.
How you can help?
Sign our Fair Go for Farm Animals Petition
Download this
information as a fact sheet
Learn more about
live exports
Learn more about
battery hen farming
Make your voice heard! Write to the Australian Government
Minister for Agriculture, your State or Territory
Agricultural Minister, your local MP
and to local newspapers. Express your anger and opposition to cruelty in
the farming industry.
The Hon Joe Helper MP
Minister for Agriculture
1 Spring Street
Melbourne 3000
Email
joe.helper@parliament.vic.gov.au
Send a live exports,
battery hen farming or sow stalls e-card
When shopping, look for welfare-friendly alternatives, such
as free range pork and non-cage eggs.
Buy a green RSPCA wristband and help us raise funds and
awareness to stop
animal cruelty theyre available in two sizes and are just
$2 each from Bendigo
Bank branches, Peter Alexander stores, participating veterinarians and the
RSPCA.
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