The Pork Industry Board says it is taking steps to ensure farmers are looking after their animals while it waits for the outcome of a new welfare code.
The National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee is considering 300 submissions on the code, which recommends banning the use of sow stalls and farrowing crates by 2017.
Pork Industry Board chief executive Sam McIvor says in the meantime, it has begun independent annual audits of farms and will introduce welfare-approved labelling for pork products.
Mr McIvor says the industry hopes audits and welfare-approved labelling will give the public an assurance that farmers are looking after their pigs properly.