Animal rights protestors block Geelong CSIRO workers

MORE than 60 animal activists blocked the entrance to CSIRO’s East Geelong plant this morning, reportedly forcing the organisation to send works home for the day.

Animal rights protesters block the entrance to the CSIRO in Geelong. Picture: Alison Wynd

MORE than 60 animal activists blocked the entrance to CSIRO’s East Geelong plant this morning, reportedly forcing the organisation to send workers home.

Geelong Liberation Animal activists blockaded the front entrance of the plant’s Portarlington Road entrance, accompanied by a police guard.

Protest organiser Tim Oseckas said the activists had assembled to mark World Day for Animals in Laboratories at about 8.15am.

“We are protecting the need exploitation and other harms inflicted on the animals imprisoned in CSIROs Australian Animal Health Laboratory and other laboratories all around the world, and to demand their liberation,” Mr Oseckas said.

He said many residents would be shocked that animal testing occurred at the Geelong lab and claimed a variety of animals — including rats, horses and cows — were tested on.

“We demand an end to the human use of all animals for any purpose, and an end to the human supremacist ideology held by the majority of humans including scientists and governments that support the exploitation of other animals for scientific research,” Mr Oseckas said.

A number of police members were present at the peaceful process, forming a guard between the activists and CSIROs entry gate. It is understood CSIRO management issued a text message to staff members telling them not to attend work.

No workers could be seen exiting or the entering the building and no cars attempted to enter through the blocked gates.

CSIRO spokesman Huw Morgan said all CSIRO scientists follow the Australian code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes.

“We undertake to ensure that all animals used by our Organisation for scientific purposes are treated humanely and ethically,” Mr Morgan said.

“Australian and global communities are concerned with the welfare of animals, and CSIRO recognises that research involving animals is an important public issue.”

Mr Morgan said the organisation’s Animal Welfare Policy, which is reviewed annually, sets out the principles and procedures adopted by CSIRO for the care and use of animals in research.

The protesters reportedly left the scene by 11am and staff members were seen returning to work.

Originally published as Animal rights protestors block Geelong CSIRO workers