Animals Australia is commending Coles, a supermarket chain in the Land Down Under, for the company’s decision to phase out sow-stall pork products marketed under its own label. Sow stalls, known more commonly as gestation crates in the U.S., are metal enclosures that do not allow pregnant pigs to turn around, move, or rest comfortably.

Over the last five years, Animals Australia has worked to educate the public about the barbaric practice of gestation crate usage. 

Executive Director of Animals Australia Glenys Oogjes released the following statement:

"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.

"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.”

"Coles Butcher" pork products are expected to be sow stall free by 2014.


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