Pig welfare at forefront of parliamentary enquiry

SUBMISSIONS made at last month's state parliamentary enquiry into the welfare of farmed pigs in Victoria have been confronting and show a lack of common ground between the two sides, the animal welfare activists and the pork industry stakeholders.

The enquiry, prompted by footage obtained by the Farm Transparency Project over a year ago of CO2 gas stunning at three Victorian slaughterhouses and aired on ABC television, received more than 600 submissions.

The Legislative Council Economy and Infrastructure Committee inquiry, chaired by Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell, focused on regulatory frameworks, stunning methods, breeding and housing practices, the impact of the 2017 industry-led phase-out of sow stalls, and international industry best practice standards.

The hearings held on Tuesday, March 12, and Wednesday, March 13, were live streamed on the committee's website.

On day one, the committee heard from various animal rights groups, including the Australian Alliance for Animals, the Farm Transparency Project, Magic Valley, Edgars Mission and Animals Australia.

"The bludgeoning of piglets on concrete floors, the teeth clipping, the tail docking without pain relief, these are all practices that are permitted under our code of practice," according to Australian Alliance policy director Jed Goodfellow.

"The public wants to hear from an independent body; important for an independent office to be established to enhance transparency, not just for pig welfare but all animals," he said.

The submission by the Farm Transparency Project presented additional footage of workers killing piglets with blunt force on concrete floors and cutting their tails and teeth without pain relief.

The activists also inadvertently captured with their hidden CCTV cameras a man allegedly performing a sex act on a pig at the same piggery, Midland Bacon, near Stanhope.

Enquiry members Bev McArthur, Renee Heath and Gaelle Broad removed themselves during the screening.

In a joint statement published on March 13, the trio said, "Liberal and National Party committee members left the room not because of the graphic video content, but of the inappropriate circumstances surrounding its display.

"In accordance with, and respect for, established parliamentary procedures, we did not support the public re-broadcasting of content that is subject to an ongoing police investigation and court hearing".

Public broadcasting of such content could prejudice the court proceedings underway.

Ms McArthur also challenged the Farm Transparency Project group about trying to "kill" the Australian meat livestock industry.

"You want to kill an industry, let's be clear about this," she said.

Farm Transparency Project's director, Mr Delforce, who was responsible for the original footage that prompted the enquiry, was asked if he understood that biosecurity breaches at farms could lead to mass animal deaths.

"I understand that sending five million pigs to slaughter every year leads to mass animal deaths," Mr Delforce replied.

He was advocating for "a two-year phase out of commercial pig farming" based on a belief that "extreme animal suffering is inherent and systemic to this industry".

Edgars Mission founder Pam Ahern said the industry had lost its "social license" and "the writing is on the wall".

A common theme throughout day one of the hearing was around routine and legal practices that caused the most animal suffering through agricultural exemptions to animal cruelty laws.

There were also calls for a move towards alternatives to meat consumption, such as plant-based crops, and for farmers to make a transition to more humane and sustainable farming.

Another submission by Paul Bevan, chief executive of cultivated meat company Magic Valley, explained the option of using stem cell technology to cultivate meat products, which would require only a small number of livestock, and the early stages of this alternative process.

Committee member Ms McArthur raised the point that this would simultaneously eliminate pigs and the industry.

On day two, the committee heard from a range of industry representatives, including Australian Pork Limited, the Australian Meat Industry Council, SunPork, and the Victorian Farmers Federation, which was fronting the committee.

The timing of the video, which was aired on ABC's 7.30 the night before the hearing was to begin, was challenged by pork producers, but the Farm Transparency Project confirmed that it had reported the criminal act to the police immediately.

Both sides were in agreement that any criminal activity was not condoned.

A Carag Carag man has been charged in relation to the alleged bestiality incident and is due to appear at the Echuca Magistrates' Court in June.

The mental anguish of farmers dealing with the "constant fear of harassment by trespassers" on their properties and the biosecurity risk was highlighted by two northern Victorian pig producers fronting the hearing.

Victorian Farmers Federation pig group president David Wright and fellow pork producer Tim Kingma were emotional about the toll on farmers' wellbeing and being targeted by activist groups.

"Without caring for animals, you cannot be successful," said Mr Kingma, proudly wearing his pig tie.

He spoke about his investment in sheds and climate control that pigs preferred, as well as ongoing staff training and continued improvements.

Mr Wright undertakes a similar process with weekly toolbox training sessions with his staff.

The pair also spoke passionately, being involved in their local communities and contributing in various ways to do good.

For Mr Wright, who lives with anxiety due to repeated attacks, he has been on the other end of the phone with another pig farmer who was feeling suicidal following an invasion on his property.

"The judicial system is not backed by laws…give farmers peace of mind by stopping farm trespasses," said Mr Wright.

The parliamentary committee heard a further public hearing into pig welfare on Tuesday, March 26.

The hearing included a joint submission by Agriculture Victoria and Prime Safe and one from the Australian Veterinary Association.

The latter submission said a review of methods of stunning pigs using gas shows there is no current viable gas alternative to CO2.

However, it said research and development are occurring overseas into alternate gases, which shows a great deal of promise.

The committee intends to table its final report, including recommendations, to the Victorian Parliament by May 31, 2024, conceding there was a large number of submissions to be considered.

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Animal Care and Protection Bill

THE Victorian Government is reforming the state’s existing legislation on Animal Welfare.

Currently, the Animal Care and Protection Draft Bill is under public consultation, aiming to replace the existing Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 (POCTA Act).

The VFF has been actively engaging with members and key industry stakeholders to refine its policy position.

"The government wants to give itself discretionary powers to create licensing and compliance regimes," said VFF vice president Danyel Cucinotta.

"We know if governments get the chance, they will abuse this power and crackdown on necessary on-farm practices for short term political goals," she said.

The VFF is in in discussions with AgVic policymakers and the Minister of Agriculture’s office to ensure its specific interests and concerns are addressed.

Public consultation and submissions closed March 25.