State and federal government to probe Echuca’s MD Foods over animal cruelty allegations
Authorities are probing a notorious Echuca slaughterhouse after shocking footage allegedly revealed animals being killed while still conscious. WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES
Goulburn Valley
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A two-pronged federal and state government investigation has been launched into a notorious Echuca slaughterhouse after footage revealed workers allegedly acting cruelly towards animals.
The footage was captured by animal activist group Farm Transparency Project at MD Foods Australia, an export accredited, multi-species slaughterhouse in Echuca.
The footage, along with photos, allegedly shows the stunning and slaughter of hundreds of sheep and goats and
workers roughly throwing sheep and goats to the ground while herding them into the narrow restraint.
The footage shows many sheep and goats killed while allegedly fully conscious and are seen struggling and resisting as their throats are slit by workers.
Farm Transparency Project director Chris Delforce said he was not surprised the slaughterhouse hasn’t improved its practices in the past decade.
“Most people would be shocked and horrified to see this footage of animals struggling and fighting for their lives as they are violently killed,” Mr Delforce said.
Agriculture Victoria was made aware on Wednesday, August 14 of a formal complaint regarding MD Foods, and had subsequently launched an investigation alongside the d\federal government’s Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
Agriculture Minister Ros Spence said the state government would work alongside the federal government to investigate the matter.
“We have no tolerance for animal cruelty and we are working with the Commonwealth to investigate the matter,” Ms Spence said.
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry received a formal complaint on August 13 and was also investigating.
A department spokeperson told The Herald Sun: “The Australian government takes a zero-tolerance approach for the abuse of any animals at all export registered establishments.”
All export abattoirs are regulated by the federal government.
The slaughterhouse now run by MD Foods was operated by family business Riverside Meats, who were twice investigated by meat regulator PrimeSafe.
In 2013, Riverside Meats were investigated by the Department of Primary Industries for breaches of Victorian animal cruelty laws and the illegal use of an electric prod or ‘jigger’ device on a calf.
PrimeSafe also investigated the abattoir for breaching Australian standards governing welfare at abattoirs, and ordered the practices to cease immediately.
No charges were laid following that investigation.
In 2016, Riverside Meats were again investigated by PrimeSafe for animal welfare breaches.
Riverside Meats shut its doors in 2018 amid protests from workers.
The slaughterhouse reopened its doors in 2021 under the name MD Foods, operated by parent company Dabbagh Enterprises Pty Ltd.
Dabbagh Enterprises are a business that operates out of Altona.
Dabbagh’s website states they are a “proudly family run for 5 generations, Dabbagh Group operates globally, spanning 4 industries and 3 continents”.
Dabbagh Enterprises Pty Ltd were contacted for comment.
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