Mindarra Piggery (module 1)

Mindarra Piggery, owned by Westpork, is the largest pig farm in Western Australia. The piggery is comprised of four separate modules. Module 1 is a 950 sow breeder unit containing sows and piglets from 0 to 3 weeks of age. Pig housing comprises four conventional sheds and converted deep litter sheds.

Modules 2 and 4 (located between 1 and 3) are grow-out facilities. Module 2 contains 120 deep litter weaner/finisher sheds, which are gradually being decommissioned as new housing is built at the Mindarra 4 site.

Module 3 is an 1100 sow multiplier unit, with some pigs kept until finisher age. Pig housing comprises of four conventional sheds and three eco-shelters.

Module 2 was raided by authorities in 2007 after a complaint from Animal Rights Advocates (ARA). The charges were dropped two years later due to legal technicalities. In 2013, Westpork was fined $225000 for failing to euthanise 10 sick pigs at one of the two grow-out modules.

Module 1 was investigated by activists in mid 2014. Sows were found confined to metal cages in farrowing crates, one with a painful prolapse; numerous sick and dead piglets were found, some in the farrowing crates, others in buckets; a broken water pipe continuously sprayed cold water on sows and piglets who were unable to move away; several rats were seen amongst the pigs; and other issues typical of Australian pig farming were uncovered, such as the mutilation (tail and ear cutting) of piglets without anaesthetic or pain relief.