16Humane destruction of pigs

16 Humane destruction of pigs

(1)  A person who keeps pigs must not cause or allow the pigs in the person’s care or charge to be destroyed under these regulations unless the destruction is carried out humanely by –

(a) a veterinary surgeon; or

(b) a competent stockperson who is suitably trained in the humane destruction of pigs; or

(c) a person who is acting under the direct supervision of a person referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) .

Penalty:  In the case of –

(a) a body corporate, a fine not exceeding 100 penalty units; or

(b) a natural person, a fine not exceeding 50 penalty units.

(2)  It is a defence in proceedings for an offence under subregulation (1) if the defendant establishes that –

(a) the pig was humanely destroyed; and

(b) it was not possible to find a veterinary surgeon or competent stockperson within a reasonable time; and

(c) the delay as a result of waiting for a veterinary surgeon or competent stockperson would have caused undue suffering to the pig.

(3)  For the purposes of this regulation, a pig is humanely destroyed if –

(a) the pig is rendered suddenly unconscious; and

(b) the death of the pig occurs while it is unconscious.