Tasmanian Quality Meats threatened with export licence ban after footage released by Farm Transparency Project
A Tasmanian company was threatened with an export licence ban after hidden camera footage was released by an animal rights group. WARNING: Video and images contained in this story may be distressing.
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An animal rights group says cruelty behind the doors of Tasmanian abattoirs is worse than ever, after it released footage it claims is from Tasmanian meat processors.
The Farm Transparency Project (FTP) released hidden camera footage from five Tasmanian abattoirs, which it alleges contains instances of animal cruelty.
One abattoir included is Cressy based factory, Tasmanian Quality Meats, which was issued a notice from the federal government that its export licence could be suspended.
FTP executive director Chris Delforce said that this investigation showed “systemic animal abuse in Tasmanian slaughterhouses”.
“Seven years ago, an investigation revealed horrific abuse occurring in Tasmanian abattoirs,” Mr Delforce said.
“Despite formal complaints being made to authorities, no improvements have been made.
“In some cases, things are actually worse than ever.”
A Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry spokesperson confirmed it was investigating TQM’s export licence.
“Export registered establishments are required to have effective controls in place to ensure practices occurring at the establishment enable adherence to export legislation,” they said.
“The footage made available to the department does not align with the export legislation.
“The department is working with the company in relation to the regulatory matters raised.”
Tasmanian Greens animal welfare spokesperson Rosalie Woodruff said she welcomed the federal government threatening to suspend TQM’s export licence.
“Something has to change because every day in Tasmania, in abattoirs, animals are suffering and dying a cruel and brutal death,” Dr Woodruff said.
“They are conscious, and they are experiencing a form of brutality that people who are buying meat would be shocked to see.
“But we know this has been happening for years, and it is a failure of government regulation that means that we’re in this place today.”
Tasmanian Liberal MP Guy Barnett said that the state government expects companies to adhere to high animal welfare standards.
“Having said that, we would request the federal government to understand the implications of any such decision in terms of the impact on jobs, farms and livestock,” he said.
Tasmanian Quality Meats says suspension would devastate the industry
December 8, 11am
About 200 workers are at risk of losing their jobs at a meat processing plant after being served a draft notice from the federal government to suspend its export licence.
Tasmanian Quality Meats (TQM) could lose its export licence after being found to have breached animal welfare regulations at its Cressy plant.
“It appears that activists illegally accessed our facility between August and September this year, installing a number of hidden cameras and subsequently providing the illegally obtained footage to the government,” TQM owner Jake Oliver said.
“As a result, last Thursday we were made aware of the footage and on Friday we received a notice of intention from the Federal Department of Agriculture, threatening to suspend our export licence and giving us only seven days to respond.
“I would like to stress that we condemn all mistreatment of animals in the strongest possible terms.
“It is utterly unacceptable and fails to meet the high standards TQM expects.”
Mr Oliver said TQM had taken multiple steps since receiving the notice of intention, such as appointing an animal welfare officer, increasing quality assurance monitoring and a zero-tolerance policy.
“A suspension of our export licence would have a catastrophic impact on our business and staff, and Tasmania’s entire agricultural sector.
“A suspension could force TQM to shut down, putting the jobs of 200 workers at risk.
“This would be devastating for families across Cressy and Longford who would be left without an income at Christmas, and would result in the loss of many valuable foreign workers.
“This would also send shockwaves across the sector, including Tasmanian lamb and cattle farms, livestock transporters, finished goods transporters, contractors, packaging suppliers, utility companies and the communities that rely on money we spend right here in Tasmania.
“It will also leave Tasmanian farmers with nowhere to process their livestock, as TQM is the state’s only export accredited processor.”
Mr Oliver said the suspension would force farmers to scrabble to find alternative arrangements and most likely have to process their meat on the mainland.
“All we’re asking for is a fair go, and we’ll cop what we deserve on the chin. But right now, all our workers, every farmer and the entire state is being punished.
“We are more than willing to co-operate fully with a formal and fair investigative process into the allegations made by the animal activists.”
Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association President Ian Sauer said TQM closing its doors would have dire consequences.
“If TQM aren’t killing these lambs, there’s nowhere for them to go,” Mr Sauer said.
“There’s limited capacity for freight across the Bass Strait; there’s a limited capacity for killing animals on the mainland
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Originally published as Tasmanian Quality Meats threatened with export licence ban after footage released by Farm Transparency Project
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