Exploited for their bodies
In Australia over 6 million pigs are slaughtered for meat each year. More than 98% of these pigs are raised in intensive 'farms'.
The majority of female breeding pigs (sows) are kept inside sheds and continually pregnant – this is called the 'sow cycle' by the pig-flesh industry. For at least some of their 16-week pregnancy (and for 1/3 of sows their entire pregnancy) and for the birth of their babies, sows are confined to tiny metal stalls with concrete and slatted floors. The sows are unable to turn around and have no bedding to lie on – just bare concrete onto which the sow gives birth. The sow is denied any natural instinct to make a nest for her babies and is unable to interact or nurture them. The tiny piglets feed off the mother's teats through metal bars. After 3-4 weeks the babies are removed and the mother is impregnated so the sow cycle can begin again. When she no longer produces piglets at a profitable rate she will be sent to slaughter.
To ensure that the pig production line is as efficient as possible the piglets’ tails are cut off to reduce tail biting from stress, their eye teeth are clipped off and males are castrated. All are done with no anaesthetic and piglets can die from the shock.
Once piglets are weaned they are kept in sheds on concrete slatted floors where they are fed until they reach the desired weight for slaughter. This is typically around 26 weeks of age. The normal life span of a pig is around 10-15 years. At the slaughterhouse, they are either stunned with an electric stunner or gassed with carbon dioxide before their throats are slit. As the production line moves so fast pigs may have their throats cut while still conscious. They then travel down the line hanging from their hind legs to be put in a tank of scalding water to remove hair and grease from their skin.
Check out our photo gallery of a Western Australian piggery.
What about 'Free Range', 'Organic' or 'Humane' Meat?
For any product to be mass produced whether it’s labeled ‘organic’, ‘free range’ or ‘humane’, the animals are still bred by the billions, separated from their family members, and eventually loaded into trucks and are brutally slaughtered.
Free range & organic animal products are highly profitable because industries can charge a lot more for the 'product', and consumers are willing to pay that price in order to feel guilt-free without changing their diet. This allows animal exploiters to put even more money back into advertising, which increases sales and ultimately increases the number of animals bred, abused, and killed.
Free range pigs killed for their flesh are still taken from their mothers, still forced to endure a terrifying trip to the slaughterhouse and, of course, violently murdered.
Living with Compassion
Becoming vegan is the best way to help animals, the environment, and your health.
Going vegan (eliminating all animal products from your diet) really is easier than you might think. This compassionate lifestyle is becoming increasingly popular as more and more people turn to ethical food products and take their health seriously. As a result, the market for vegan food is growing each year and most supermarkets now stock a wide variety of animal-free foods.
Find out more about going vegan here, including even more reasons, tips for the transition and a stack of recipes to get you started. |
