Victorian abattoir to appeal federal court ruling

A notice of appeal has been lodged by the abattoir which lost its bid to stop the publishing of footage illegally obtained by animal activists. See the latest.

A Victorian abattoir operator has lodged a notice of appeal after losing its plea to stop illegally obtained footage captured by animal activists being republished.

Game Meats Company originally sought a permanent injunction against activist group Farm Transparency Project to prevent it from publishing a 14-minute compilation video allegedly showing goat stunning and slaughter captured over seven alleged trespasses at the Eurobin abattoir last year.

In December, Justice John Snaden rejected the injunction, but said GMC was entitled to relief considering FTP’s trespasses, as an order for damages. He ruled $30,000 for general damages, and exemplary damages of $100,000.

GMC filed the appeal in the Federal Court on Monday over the lack of an injunction order.

Farm Transparency Project founder Chris Delforce. Picture: Aaron Francis (The Australian).

Meanwhile FTP has appealed that amount of exemplary damages.

The group will be represented by barrister Angel Aleksov, who is an Animal Justice Party candidate for the federal seat of Indi.

In its latest annual report, FTP said if the company was required to pay damages significantly in excess of any claims awarded to it, it may have difficulty raising the funds to pay those damages.

“This would cast significant doubt on the company’s ability to continue as a going concern,” the report said.

Questions over costs will be determined once the appeals have concluded.