APL Responds to '60 Minutes'

On Sunday 22 November, the Channel 9 program 60 Minutes ran a story on the Australian pork industry. The story addressed animal welfare issues. View that story here. 

Read APL's statement in response to the story here.

APL CEO Andrew Spencer was interviewed by 60 Minutes for this story. However, this interview was cut quite significantlyto reflect a clear editorial bias. We have posted the recording we made of this interview below, uncut. This uncut footage provides both a far more detailed response to the allegations put to the industry and to APL, but also indicates the way in which 60 Minutes chose to slant their story. We post these videos below to re-affirm our commitment to transparency and driving on-going improvment in the Australian Pork industry. 

Part 1
Andrew Spencer explains sow stalls and why they're good for pigs... The CEO is shown unattributed footage


Part 2
Discussion about the Code of Practice.


Part 3
Discussion about what happens when countries ban sow stalls... Free range vs group housing vs sow stalls...


Part 4
How sow stalls are good for pigs. 60 Minutes editorial bias displayed...


Part 5
The Tasmanian farm is discussed.


Part 6
Andrew Spencer, on nine occasions, asks if he can confirm information. Liam Bartlett refuses.


Part 7
Heated discussion... An argument over a pig farm.


Part 8
The break-down of the interview. The CEO confirms that proceedings have ended, and leaves his chair. This footage is later used in the program to appear as though he had left the interview midway through.


APL is keen to reiterate its commitment to ensuring the health of the animals at the core of this industry. For more information on animal welfare and how we look after pigs, visit the Aussie Pig Farmers website.

To read scientific information regarding the use of sow stalls in Australia, see below. These papers were produced through the Animal Welfare Science Centre, the University of Melbourne and the CSIRO.

The welfare of gestating sows in conventional stalls and large groups on deep litter

Behaviour and stress physiology of gestating sows in a combination of stall and group housing. II.