Seven charged after alleged protest at Victorian slaughterhouse as Dan defends facility

Seven protesters have been charged after allegedly chaining themselves to machinery as part of an animal rights protest in the state’s northeast, while the Premier has said he wasn’t aware of any breaches of standards at the facility.

Chris Delforce is escorted by police. Picture: Farm Transparency Project

Police have charged seven protesters who allegedly stormed a slaughterhouse in the state’s northeast.

Up to 30 protesters allegedly chained themselves to machinery in a bid to stop pigs being killed at the Benalla facility early on Thursday morning.

Three men and four women, aged between 23 and 53 from Melbourne, Tasmania and NSW, were arrested and charged with trespass offences.

They were all bailed to attend the Benalla Magistrates’ Court at later dates.

It comes after the same group, Farm Transparency Project, allegedly recently broke into three of Victoria’s largest pig slaughterhouses to obtain graphic footage of pigs being stunned with carbon dioxide before being killed.

Animal activists at a Victorian slaughterhouse. Picture: Farm Transparency Project

Chris Delforce allegedly hid inside a “gas chamber” to take the footage, which showed pigs thrashing and screaming when lowered into the gas.

Stunning pigs with carbon dioxide before they are killed is considered standard practice in Victoria.

During Thursday morning’s alleged break-in, Mr Delforce allegedly locked himself inside a gondola that is used to lower pigs into the gas.

It’s understood the activists allegedly broke in at 4am. Police were called to the facility soon after.

Several activists were escorted from the facility about 7.30am.

Several other protesters allegedly remained on the roof of the building.

Mr Delforce said he went into the facility knowing he would be charged.

“Nine years after we first exposed this, there comes a point where there’s nothing left to do but get in there and physically put a stop to it,” he said.

“We knew we’d be arrested, we knew we’d be charged, but it’s not about us — whatever might happen to us is absolutely nothing compared to what’s happening to pigs in these brutal gas chambers every day across this country.

A group of animal rights activists at a slaughterhouse. Picture: Farm Transparency Project

“We’re going to keep going until this has ended. These places have no right to operate, and if it’s going to be up to us to stop them, then so be it.”

Mr Delforce said the activists wanted to put their bodies on the line to demand an “immediate ban on the use of carbon dioxide gas chambers”.

He said efforts to raise the matter with Australian Pork and the government had failed.

“Pigs are dying in agony inside these gas chambers every day, we couldn’t wait any longer for someone else to intervene,” he said.

The Andrews government is now facing mounting calls for an inquiry into the use of carbon dioxide to stun pigs.

Premier Daniel Andrews said he wasn‘t aware of any breaches of standards having occurred at the facility.

“As the son of a beef farmer, I know very personally, you get better outcomes, much better quality outcomes when animal welfare is front of mind,” he said.

“There would be many people who would regard the slaughtering of those animals, or any animals, as an inhumane thing. That‘s not my view.”

Opposition agriculture spokeswoman Emma Kealy slammed the Andrews government for its “weak activist laws”.

“People have the right to operate their business without being repeatedly broken into and head to work without being disrupted by this illegal behaviour,“ she said.

“While these activists are entitled to their views, damaging equipment, breaking and entering and halting legitimate business is an appalling, and brazenly illegal way to voice dissent.”

Chris Delforce allegedly hid inside a “gas chamber” to take the footage, which showed pigs thrashing and screaming when lowered into the gas. Picture: Farm Transparency Project

Victorian Agriculture Minister Gayle Tierney this week said an investigation into the footage was being undertaken.

“There has been complaints in relation to this practice,” she said.

“I can advise you that PrimeSafe is taking this very seriously and there is an investigation under way.

“I will be waiting for the results of that investigation before I make any further comment.”

The Australian Meat Industry Council (AMIC), which represents meat processors, said law-abiding businesses should be able to conduct their operations without their rights being violated.

“Trespassing at any livestock facility is inherently dangerous and poses significant biosecurity, animal, and human safety risks that AMIC cannot condone for any reason,” an AMIC statement said.

“AMIC and our membership are committed to proper, stringent, and accountable animal welfare practices across the supply chain.

“AMIC remains steadfast in its policy that if crimes or breaches in animal welfare standards have been observed, the matter should be directly reported to police or the RSPCA as a matter of urgency so that any animal welfare offences can be investigated, and any further instances of mistreatment can be prevented.

“AMIC considers animal welfare to be vital in the sustainable operation of processing establishments and we are committed to proper, stringent, and accountable animal welfare practices across the supply chain.”