Part 6Pigs

Part 6—Pigs 25—Interpretation boar means an uncastrated male pig over 9 months of age; creep area means an area for housing piglets adjacent to a farrowing crate in which the piglets of the sow are protected from crushing and overlying by the sow; farrowing means giving birth to piglets; farrowing crate means an enclosure for housing a sow for the purposes of farrowing— (a) that closely corresponds to the sow's body size; and (b) in which the sow is unable to turn around; and (c) that has an adjacent creep area for any piglets of the sow; farrowing pen means a pen for housing— (a) a sow for the purposes of farrowing; and (b) any piglets of the sow; feeder means a trough, hopper or other equipment from which feed may be accessed by a pig; gilt means a female pig (other than a sow) that has been selected for breeding; herd health program, in relation to a pig, means a program, approved by the Minister, that identifies potential health and biosecurity risks to the pig and specifies action to prevent or minimise those risks; pen means an enclosure for housing a pig or group of pigs in which the pig or pigs are able to turn around; piglet, of a sow, includes any piglet that is dependent on the sow for milk; sow means an adult female pig that has had 1 or more litters; stall means an enclosure (other than a farrowing crate) for housing a single pig— (a) that closely corresponds to the pig's body size; and (b) in which the pig is unable to turn around; suitably qualified—see subregulation (2); waterer means a trough or other equipment from which drinking water may be accessed by a pig. (2) For the purposes of this Part, a person is suitably qualified if the person— (a) is a veterinary surgeon; or (b) holds a tertiary qualification approved by the Minister in the field of veterinary science or agriculture; or (c) holds a Certificate III in Agriculture (Pig Production) from an NVR registered training organisation; or (d) holds a qualification that is, in the opinion of the Minister, equivalent to the qualification referred to in paragraph (c); or (e) satisfies the Minister that he or she has, during a period of at least 12 months, been responsible for the comprehensive care of pigs in a business that has, during that period of responsibility, complied with a herd health program or some other quality assurance program approved by the Minister relating to pig husbandry. 26—Application of Part This Part applies in relation to a pig kept in the course of the business of a piggery. 27—Exemptions from Part (1) Subject to this regulation, the Minister may, by notice in writing— (a) exempt a person, subject to such conditions as the Minister thinks fit and specifies in the notice, from specified provisions of this Part; or (b) vary or revoke an exemption, or a condition of an exemption, under this regulation or impose a further condition. (2) An exemption under this regulation operates for a period (not exceeding 12 months) specified in the notice. (3) A person who contravenes a condition of an exemption is guilty of an offence. 28—Keeping records (1) A person who keeps a pig must ensure that— (a) a written record is kept of— (i) any inspection of the pig required under this Part (including any concerns regarding the pig's health or welfare detected by the inspection); and (ii) any inspection of equipment required under this Part (including any equipment failure or malfunction detected by the inspection); and (b) the record— (i) is kept for 3 years from the day on which the record was made; and (ii) is readily available for inspection at all reasonable times by an inspector. (2) For the purposes of subregulation (1), a record may be kept in electronic form. 29—Day‑to‑day care of pigs (1) A person who keeps a pig must ensure that the pig is— (a) provided with adequate food containing sufficient nutrients to ensure the pig's good health and vitality; and (b) given reasonable access to water. (2) A person who keeps a pig must ensure that, within 24 hours after birth, the pig has received colostrum or an appropriate substitute. (3) A person who keeps a pig must ensure that the pig is inspected at least once a day to assess the pig's health and well‑being. (4) A person who keeps a pig must ensure that— (a) reasonable steps are taken to avoid a build up of faeces and urine in the pig's housing; and (b) the pig is not tethered; and (c) the pig is not exposed to any dog unless— (i) the dog is under the effective control of a person; and (ii) in the case of a dog that has a history of biting humans or animals—the dog is wearing a muzzle. (5) A person who keeps a pig must ensure that— (a) each person responsible for the care of the pig is a suitably qualified person or a person acting under the supervision of a suitably qualified person; and (b) a herd health program is in place in relation to the pig. 30—Medical and surgical procedures (1) A person who keeps a pig must ensure that— (a) any significant medical or surgical procedure is carried out in relation to the pig only by a suitably qualified person or by a person acting under the direct supervision of a suitably qualified person; and (b) any simple medical or surgical procedure is carried out in relation to the pig only by a suitably qualified person or by a person acting under the supervision (whether or not direct supervision) of a suitably qualified person. (2) However, subregulation (1) does not apply in relation to the destruction of a pig if, due to urgent circumstances— (a) the services of a suitably qualified person are not reasonably available; and (b) destruction of the pig is necessary in order to prevent undue suffering by the pig. (3) A person who keeps a pig must ensure that a vasectomy or surgical castration is not performed on a pig over 21 days of age unless the pig is anaesthetised. (4) In this regulation— significant medical or surgical procedure, in relation to a pig, means— (a) vasectomy or castration of the pig; or (b) tusk trimming of the pig; or (c) nose ringing of the pig; or (d) destruction of the pig; simple medical or surgical procedure, in relation to a pig, means— (a) administration to the pig of a veterinary product (including a drug, vaccine or other substance) whether intravenously, orally, topically or by any other means; or (b) diagnosis of pregnancy of the pig; or (c) docking of the pig's tail; or (d) clipping of the pig's needle teeth; or (e) measurement of the pig's backfat; or (f) application to the pig of identification marks, tags or chips. (5) This regulation is in addition to and does not derogate from the operation of— (a) the Agricultural and Veterinary Products (Control of Use) Act 2002 (for example, in relation to the treatment of an animal with a veterinary product within the meaning of that Act); or (b) the Livestock Act 1997 (for example, in relation to the supply or use of a vaccine); or (c) the Veterinary Practice Act 2003 (for example, in relation to the provision of veterinary treatment within the meaning of that Act).