MEDIA RELEASE: 29th AUGUST 2019
SICKENING CRUELTY AT NSW SLAUGHTERHOUSE EXPOSED:
ANIMAL JUSTICE PARTY MP EMMA HURST SAYS FOOTAGE SHOWS WHAT GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSED RIGHT TO FARM LAWS AND BIOSECURITY REGULATIONS ARE TRYING TO HIDE
The footage, filmed at a slaughterhouse in Picton NSW, shows brutal acts of cruelty, including beating in frightened pig’s skulls with mallets and leaving traumatised a calf to suffer a slow and painful death as it bleeds to death from a slit throat. Ms Hurst says these are just some of the many incidents of animal cruelty the new NSW ag-gag laws* are trying to hide by targeting whistleblowers with harsh penalties and fines.
“This extreme animal cruelty is exactly what the NSW Government’s draconian suite of new ag-gag laws are trying to cover up,” said Ms Hurst.
“Ongoing incidents of animal cruelty like this one are exactly why we have tabled a disallowance motion against the Government’s most recent attempt at an ag-gag law, which was introduced into Parliament under the guise of biosecurity regulations.
“Make no mistake, these laws are really about intimidation. The Government is pushing a political agenda to instill fear and silence members of society who expose animal abuse. Today the community can see an example of exactly the type of footage the Government is trying to hide.
“This horrific footage makes it clear that this is an industry that needs transparency. Not more red tape and harsh penalties targeting whistleblowers who are trying to bring this cruelty to light.
“It is unconscionable that the NSW Government target whistleblowers with a $220,000 fine for exposing brutal acts of cruelty, but fines for those commiting acts of animal cruelty could have a maximum of just $5,500.
“We have seen countless videos from concerned whistleblowers horrified at the brutality they have witnessed behind closed doors of the animal agribusiness industry. This isn’t a one off.
“It is the perpetrators of cruelty who must be punished. Not the whistleblowers. These are sentient animals who feel pain, fear and suffering.
“The Department of Agriculture is meant to be responsible for improving animal protection, yet these new laws seek to protect those who are deliberately torturing them.
"Enough is enough. How many more animals need to be traumatised and tortured for our government to see that we need stronger animal protection laws and tougher penalties for those who inflict this cruelty?
“It is time the NSW Government got serious about protecting animals and ensuring that the perpetrators of these horrific crimes are brought to justice,” said Ms Hurst.
* In the past month, the Government has introduced the Biosecurity Amendment (Biosecurity Management Plans) Regulation 2019, which allows for fines of up to $220,000 to be imposed on individuals who enter an agricultural property in breach of a “Biosecurity Management Plan”, and tabled the Right to Farm Bill 2019 which would allow up to three year’s jail time to be imposed on anyone who trespasses on farm property.
While the Biosecurity Amendment (Biosecurity Management Plans) Regulation 2019 took effect on 1 August 2019, the Animal Justice Party has introduced a disallowance motion in NSW Parliament which will seek to have the regulations thrown out.
VIDEO FOOTAGE: https://bit.ly/2U9Po3o
MEDIA CONTACT: ROSINA RAYNS, 0401 991 792