Farm Transparency Project protests pig gassing at Swickers

Animal protection activists have launched a nationwide campaign against pig gassing, with the factory that processes 90 per cent of Qld’s bacon the first stop.

Animal activists, including the Farm Transparency Project and Live Gently, launched a nationwide campaign calling for a ban on pig gassing outside Kingaroy Swickers on Thursday, June 15, 2023.

One of the South Burnett’s largest businesses has become the first stop on a protest train rolling out across the country amid calls for a ban on gas chambers at slaughterhouses.

About 15 protesters gathered outside Swickers Kingaroy Bacon factory at Barkers Creek Rd on Thursday, the first of what the protesters said would be a four-day campaign by groups including Farm Transparency Project and Live Gently.

The group carried placards calling for a stop to “gassing pigs for pork”, and several memorial crosses were erected on the ground as temporary memorials.

The practice of carbon-dioxide stunning pigs is legal, and used industry wide under Australian regulation, but activists claim it causes suffering to the animals.

The RSPCA has recommended it be phased out and replaced with a more “humane” alternative.

Australian Pork Limited has consistently maintained it is the best practice for slaughterhouses.

FTP said in a media release the campaign was being held following a Victorian inquiry into pig welfare following the release of hidden camera footage from inside three of the state’s largest slaughterhouses.

Protests are planned for the country’s major cities until Sunday.

‘Panic and terror’: Footprints give hope as search continues

Kingaroy’s Swickers factory employs about 900 people, and has been a fixture in the South Burnett for five decades.

FTP founding director Chris Delforce said the campaign came amid claims of deflection by Agriculture Minister Murray Watt.

“What we’ve found since we released this footage is that, despite widespread public outcry over the horrifying images of pigs dying in agony inside gas chambers, the Australian pork industry and those who support and defend it, have refused to take accountability for their actions, instead hiding behind deception, dishonesty and deflection,” Mr Delforce said.

“On multiple occasions now, we’ve sought a meeting with Mr Watt to discuss the footage, which he himself described as distressing.

“We have been repeatedly ignored and, when a meeting was finally arranged between us and senior department staff, it was cancelled at the last minute with no explanation.

“What happens to animals inside Australian slaughterhouses is an area of significant public interest, we are taking action to bring much needed attention to an issue that the government would much rather ignore and hide from.”

A spokesman for Mr Watt’s office said the Minister declined to comment.

SunPork, the owner of Swickers, has been approached for comment.

Wakka Wakka teacher recognised for important work

The 50-year-old Kingaroy Swickers factory employs about 900 staff.

More than 90 per cent of Queensland’s pork is processed through the facility.

The Kingaroy facility has been a common target for animal welfare protesters across the years, with previous gatherings in 2020 and 2017.

Originally published as Farm Transparency Project protests pig gassing at Swickers