‘Phase out’: Farm Transparency Group calls for pig farming to end
Animal activist groups have called for an end to commercial pig farming at a state government inquiry into pig welfare.
Animal activist groups have called for an end to commercial pig farming at a state government inquiry into pig welfare in Victoria.
A two-day public hearing, which kicked off today, saw animal activist groups including Farm Transparency Project, Animals Australia and Edgars Mission, call for pig farming to be phased out.
The inquiry was announced last year after activists allegedly broke into several abattoirs and filmed pigs being stunned with CO2 gas prior to slaughter.
A committee will examine the existing regulatory framework and methods used to stun pigs before slaughter.
It comes as ABC’s 7.30 last night revealed allegations of animal cruelty and a charge of bestiality at Midland Bacon at Carag Carag, following footage captured by Farm Transparency Group.
Earlier yesterday, the Australian Meat Industry Council endorsed mandatory video surveillance in some abattoirs by 2026.
In its submission to the inquiry, Farm Transparency Project called for a “two year phase-out of commercial pig farming and …. public funds must no longer be provided to the pork industry”.
Edgar’s Mission called for the “establishment of a separate department from that of agriculture to oversee the wellbeing of farmed animals”.
“The phasing out of animal-based industries by way of government assistance for farmers with the option to transition into plant-based alternatives to animal products is imperative”, the group wrote.
Australia Pork Limited, Western Plains Pork and the Victorian Farmers Federation will have their submissions heard on Wednesday.
In its submission, Western Plains Pork chief executive Judy Croagh wrote “we … have concerns about animal activists trespassing and entering properties illegally … breaking our biosecurity protocols”.
Midland Bacon told the ABC it was unable to comment on the footage.
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