Media Release
21 July 2010
Coles act on pig welfare concerns
Animals Australia has applauded Coles for becoming the first Australian supermarket to
commit to making its own-brand 'Coles Butcher' pork products 'sow stall free' by 2014.
For the past five years Animals Australia's public awareness campaigns have been
highlighting the cruelty of sow stalls which individually confine breeding pigs in metal and
concrete crates barely bigger than their bodies during their pregnancy.
Executive Director of Animals Australia Glenys Oogjes said:
"It is terrific to see Coles responding to community concerns and proactively working with
their suppliers to improve animal welfare standards."
"Through this announcement Coles has set an animal welfare benchmark which we hope
other retailers will follow. Coles, Woolworths and the other major retailers through their
buying power have the ability to significantly improve the standards of care for animals
raised for food in Australia," said Ms Oogjes.
"Cruel production methods, such as the use of sow stalls have continued in Australia only
because consumers have been unaware of the conditions and practices that animals
endure. We applaud Coles for showing ethical leadership and being the first Australian
retailer to act to end one of the cruellest practices ever inflicted on animals in Australia,"
concluded Ms Oogjes.
High resolution photographs of sow stalls available on request.
Media comment:
Glenys Oogjes 04 1431 2552
Animals Australia Inc. 37 O’Connell Street, North Melbourne 3051
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