RIDDING the pig industry of sow stalls is likely to increase the price of Australian pork, further adding to the industry's difficulty in competing with overseas imports, says Australian Pork Limited chief executive Andrew Spencer.
Earlier this month, the Tasmanian government announced it would ban sow stalls by 2017 and move to a six-week limit by 2014, directly contradicting the state's previous commitment to the national code which limited use of stalls by 2017 with no plans to ban them.
In response, APL last week flagged that it would begin a five-month national consultation process Shaping our Future in which pork producers would be surveyed on gestation stalls, and imports, labelling and labour.
Mr Spencer says banning sow stalls cannot be viewed in isolation.
"If sow stalls are phased out, it is likely that pork producers will experience a decrease in productivity, there will be increased demands for labour and for skilled staff to meet the specialist needs of other housing systems and consequently labour costs for producers will increase," he said.
"As a result, the price of Australian pork could increase while the 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 Tasmanian Government would have to assist producers make this change to enable the industry to remain competitive.
"Otherwise this decision is likely to put Tasmanian pig producers out of business as more pork is imported from the mainland where stalls will continue to be used," he said. "The policy would be to the complete disadvantage of Tasmanian interests without any welfare benefit."
Mr Spencer said the recommendation is a betrayal of the Primary Industry Ministerial Council process for the development of all model codes for national implementation.
"Other animal industries should think twice before co-operating in review of their codes," he said.
"It sends a clear warning and jeopardises the co-operative PIMC process around the development of and agreement to all Model Codes."
* Full Pig Industry News special in Stock Journal, June 24 issue.
