Page 14 - Australian Pork Newspaper
P. 14
Five year ag workforce strategy for Queensland
Key animal welfare issue in pig farming
PIGS are clever, curious and social animals who like to explore, forage and play.
These systems severely limit the ability to ex- press natural behaviours and means these highly intelligent and inquisitive animals often become bored, frustrated and dis- tressed.
freedom of movement, the ability to meet natural behavioural needs and provide opportunity for enhanced welfare.
the RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme, the RSPCA works closely with farmers committed to raising pigs to higher animal welfare stand- ards.
The use of individual sow stalls has been largely phased out in Australia in favour of group housing of preg- nant sows, however there are still a number of animal welfare concerns that need to be addressed. The issue
This in turn can result in abnormal behaviour such as tail biting.
Farrowing crates should be phased out in favour of farrowing systems that allow sows to move freely and meet the sows’ and piglets’ behavioural and physiological needs.
Since releasing our first animal welfare standards for pigs in 2001, more than 1.3 million pigs have benefitted from better conditions on farm.
The key animal welfare issue in pig farming is the close confinement of pigs in barren indoor environ- ments where there is no opportunity for them to explore, forage and carry out other natural behav- iours.
Piglets may also have their sharp needle teeth clipped to prevent injury to the sow and other pig- lets.
Look for the RSPCA Approved logo on pork in the supermarket.
Most sows, boars and growers are housed in- doors on slatted concrete floors with no bedding.
Pigs in these systems can still be kept in barren pens without bedding, sows can still be con- fined to farrowing crates, and piglets can still be subjected to painful pro- cedures.
Good housing and good management should also eliminate the need for tail docking.
Farms are visited regu- larly by an RSPCA as- sessor to ensure good animal welfare.
Sows are moved to farrowing crates to give birth – these crates are designed to protect pig- lets, but their design means the sow cannot turn around or perform her natural nest-seeking and nest-building behav- iours.
What needs to change
An environment that of- fers appropriate stimula- tion and satisfies the pig’s motivation to explore and chew – such as the pro- vision of straw or other enrichment – should re- duce the incidence of tail biting.
Contact the makers of your favourite pork prod- ucts and ask them about animal welfare on their farms.
Shortly after birth, pig- lets are often subjected to painful tail docking, which is intended to manage tail biting.
This includes the use of environmental enrich- ment and bedding to en- courage nesting behav- iour.
How to help
Sow stall-free farming is a positive first step, but this method doesn’t al- ways mean good welfare.
Sow stalls and indi- vidual stalls for boars should also be phased out in favour of group housing for sows and large pens for boars.
The RSPCA Approved logo means that pork has come from a farm where pigs are raised according to the RSPCA’s detailed animal welfare stand- ards.
The RSPCA believes pigs should be keep in an environment that allows
As an example, through
Let them know that you would like their product to be RSPCA Approved.
An alternative to farrowing crates where sows can build nests, move around, behave more naturally and raise their piglets.
Farrowing crates are designed to protect piglets, but their design means the sow cannot turn around or perform her natural nest-seeking and nest-build- ing behaviours. Photos: World Animal Protection
THE total value of Queensland’s primary in- dustries is $23.54 billion, with $18.4 billion in gross value of production.
based on gross value of production and employ- ment.
take advantage of emerging opportunities,” Minister Farmer said.
This is a vital contribu- tion to the Queensland economy.
National forecasts project that there will be changes in the composition of the agricultural workforce in the future with greater em- phasis on professional and technical roles.
“The resilience and ca- pability of this sector to survive long droughts, extensive flooding and COVID-19 disruptions, while continuing to deliver for local and international markets, has been truly im- pressive.
Future growth and market opportunities for Queens- land agriculture are de- pendent on a highly trained and skilled workforce.
QFF chief executive of- ficer Jo Sheppard said future sustainability and growth for Queensland ag- riculture was dependent on being able to attract and retain a highly trained and skilled workforce.
“This workforce plan and the ongoing collabora- tion between government, industry and other stake- holders will be a welcome sign for our farmers and food processors, who have been working hard to find workforce solutions in a rapidly changing land- scape.”
The sector currently em- ploys more than 70,000 people but is experiencing difficulties in attracting and retaining skilled workers, with employment projected to increase by 11.3 percent in 2024-25.
“As the sector continues to modernise, a skilled and appropriately trained work- force prepared for the chal- lenges and opportunities of the twenty first century is critical for industry to remain competitive,” Ms Sheppard said.
Through consultations around the state, both online and in person, the Queensland Farmers’ Fed- eration workforce planning team heard about the cur- rent and emerging work- force issues experienced by industry.
“It is important that we work together closely to find effective ways forward in developing our future workforce.”
The delivery of the industry-led workforce plan will ensure there is a modern and skilled work- force ready to meet the growth and opportunities in the agriculture industry.
The findings of this con- sultation informed a five- yearstrategy–theQueens- land Agriculture Industry Workforce Plan 2022-2027.
Minister for Employ- ment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer launched the plan and acknowledged the focus of attracting, training and retaining workers in Queensland’s agriculture industry.
Employment in agricul- ture is available in every re- gion in Queensland across metropolitan, rural and re- mote regions, and includes a range of seasonal, tech- nical and professional roles.
This plan was developed in partnership between QFF and Jobs Queensland, in collaboration with the Queensland Rural Jobs and Skills Alliance.
The sector is underpinned by diverse food, fibre and foliage producers who pro- vide domestic and export markets with a range of commodities.
RJSA has played a critical role in guiding this project on behalf of the sector.
“In 2020-21, Queens- land’s primary industries were estimated to con- tribute more than $20 bil- lion in total value to our state economy and we want to ensure the sector keeps growing and is ready to
The plan envisions that Queensland’s agribusinesses aspire to be leaders in workforce planning and development, and that the state’s
The plan was also in- formed by the Queensland agriculture industry work- force environmental scan.
The scan highlighted four priority agriculture groups,
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Page 14 – Australian Pork Newspaper, August 2022
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