Australian Pork Limited chief executive Margo Andrae speaks out against activists

Australia’s pork industry has revealed how animal activists target their headquarters as Victoria launches a probe into the sector.

A VICTORIAN parliamentary committee will investigate pig welfare following a controversial campaign by animal liberationists.

Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell introduced the motion to launch the inquiry, which will take place later this year.

She says the investigation will focus on carbon dioxide gassing methods used in abattoirs and forms of confinement.

The gassing methods depicted are legal in Victoria, with more than 80 per cent of pigs stunned before slaughter across Australia.

In April, a group of activists were charged with trespassing after they allegedly broke into an abattoir in North East Victoria.

The inquiry received support from Labor and Greens MPs in the upper house as well as Liberal Democrat MP David Limbrick.

Last week, Australian Pork Limited chief executive Margo Andrae detailed examples aggressive protest activity to a Senate Estimates hearing.

Margo Andrae, CEO of Australian Pork.

Ms Andrae said protesters had disguised themselves as tradesmen, gaining access to her organisation’s office, setting up cameras and frightening staff.

National Farmers Federation vice president David Jochinke said the behaviour of animal liberationists was extreme and needed to be called out.

“Everyone should have the right to feel safe in their workplace,” Mr Jochinke said.

“These people are doing their jobs and have done nothing wrong. They don’t deserve that sort of harassment.

“Having a different view to someone doesn’t give you the right to flout the law or intimidate people.”