BaconFest vegan protest: Activists release shocking footage inside abattoir

The owner of one of Queensland’s largest pig abattoirs has disciplined two workers at the centre of an animal cruelty case, just a day before a major festival celebrating the pork industry. WARNING: CONFRONTING VIDEO

TWO workers seen to kick a pig on the loading ramp at the Kingaroy Bacon Factory have been stood down after footage was distributed by vegan activists on the eve of the town’s annual BaconFest.

The video was captured by a drone on June 8 and shows the animal go limp as it was moved inside the abattoir.

Two workers kicked the sow, along with another animal, before spraying her with a hose.

Finally the sow is shot with a bolt gun and her throat is cut.

The footage was released by Animal Liberation Queensland the day before Kingaroy celebrates BaconFest, a two-day street party that highlights the importance of the pork industry to the local economy.

SunPork, the company that owns the Swickers Kingaroy Bacon Factory, is a major sponsor for the event.

A spokeswoman from the company said it treated any allegations of animal cruelty seriously.

“SunPork can confirm that two employees were immediately stood down this morning in line with due process and employee legislation.”

“Our processing sites are certified under the Australian Livestock Processing Industry Animal Welfare System.

“The committee regularly reviews standards to ensure that only producers who adhere to best practice in Australia are awarded this certification.”

The matter will be reviewed within the relevant workplace law and the workers will be sacked if they are found to have acted inappropriately.

“SunPork and the organisers of Kingaroy Baconfest abhor animal cruelty and hope that the actions of two individuals does not overshadow a community event aimed at supporting Queensland local producers,” the spokeswoman said.

ALQ activists will hold a ‘vigil’ in Kingaroy on Saturday during the first day of BaconFest with thousands of attendees expected to descend on the town.

The vigil will consist of activists driving mobile billboards through the town showing imagery from abattoirs across Queensland.

The activist group has also reported the Kingaroy Bacon Factory for animal cruelty to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

In previous years they have hosted ‘vigils’ at the factory gates.

CLASH: Vegan protesters will take to Kingaroy's annual BaconFest this weekend.

ALQ’s campaign manager Amanda Holly said she believed Australia’s pig farming industry was hidden behind a “veil of secrecy”and compiled the report after ten months of visiting piggeries.

“By maintaining a legal, peaceful presence throughout Kingaroy this weekend, our activists aim to shine a light on industry practices that are considered ‘standard’ despite the appalling harm caused to animals, people, and the environment,” Ms Holly said.

“We flew drones above intensive factory farms located here, as well as in the Western Downs, Toowoomba, North Burnett, Fraser Coast, Scenic Rim and Goondiwindi regions.”

Ms Holly said she would like to see policy makers make urgent changes and to address the serious animal welfare, environmental and biosecurity issues that arise from the meat industry.

“With the right assistance from government, producers can actually improve their bottom line, improve their lands, and then improve the sustainability by moving away from this type of farming,” Ms Holly said.

“There’s never been as much demand for plant based foods...we’d love to see producers being able to diversify and move into those sorts of farming practices.”