PRIMARY Industries Minister Bryan Green yesterday inspected a pig farm near Exeter that has already taken steps to transition away from sow stalls in line with an impending statewide ban.
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Mr Green said the controversial Tasmania-wide transition would happen during the next 12 months - four years ahead of the national target.
He said the government was working closely with the pig industry to ensure it was supported during the expensive change.
``The transition out of sow stalls is difficult for the industry and I think most Tasmanians understand that this is money being well spent because it provides us with the opportunity to continue to market Tasmanian-grown pork as sow stall free,'' Mr Green said.
``My expectation is that this sort of facility will cost $100,000 to $150,000 and we're very happy to work with the industry.''
Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association chief executive Jan Davis said the early move could be fatal for the state's pork suppliers.
``There is not enough information around to know what the best alternative is, the idea is to let us (Tasmanian farmers) do the research and development,'' Ms Davis said.
The Tasmanian Island Pork Alliance said it was reassured by a $500,000 funding offer from the state government earlier this year.
