AUSTRALIA'S pork industry will consider scrapping the use of sow stalls as long as it gets support from governments and retailers.
Peak body Australian Pork Limited today announced a five-month consultation process, dubbed 'Shaping our Future', in the lead-up to APL's annual general meeting in November this year.
Under review will be some tough issues facing the industry, notably the use of sow gestation stalls, but also imports, labelling and labour.
The move comes a week after the Tasmanian Government decided to phase out sow stalls in that state's pig industry over three years starting in 2014, which prompted trenchant criticism from APL and other farm groups for pre-empting a broader industry decision.
"The gestation stalls issue cannot be viewed in isolation," APL chief executive Andrew Spencer said today.
"If sow stalls are phased out, it is likely that pork producers will experience a decrease in productivity.
"There will be increased demand for labour and for skilled staff to meet the specialist needs of other housing systems, consequently labour costs for producers will increase.
"As a result the price of Australian pork could increase while cheaper pork products from overseas would continue to maintain pressure on the market.
"These are all issues Australian pork farmers need room to debate, discuss and map out for a future path for their industry."
Mr Spencer said the comprehensive consultation process would provide an opportunity to assess the views of the industry and other key sector stakeholders towards several complex issues.
"Should producers ultimately agree to move down the path of a gestation stall-free environment, the industry will need strong support from retailers as well as both state and federal governments. Any change cannot happen in isolation.
"I need to make it very clear that the industry is driving the consultation and it is our producers who will determine what changes need to be undertaken. APL’s role is to facilitate discussion with relevant stakeholders; producers, retailers, regulators, credible welfare organisations and others."
Mr Spencer said the industry’s decision to move forward on the consultation process was not made lightly and followed research, initially undertaken with producer groups in four out of the six pig producing states in Australia.
This was followed by further APL delegate and member meetings at the industry’s largest science and technology forum Pan Pacific Pork Expo, currently being held on the Gold Coast, he said.
