Abattoirs face surprise inspections

10 Feb 2012, 5:11 pm   -   Source: AAP
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The NSW government says it will spring unannounced audits and inspections on the state's abattoirs to ensure animals aren't being mistreated.

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NSW abattoirs will be subject to surprise inspections following the closure of a western Sydney slaughterhouse where workers were caught on video bashing and mistreating animals.

The NSW government is ramping up inspections of abattoirs after it suspended operations at Hawkesbury Valley Meat Processors.

The decision came after the NSW Food Authority was handed a video showing "gross mistreatment" of animals on Thursday.

The footage, which was aired on the ABC on Thursday night, showed a worker bashing a pig several times over the head with a metal bar.

Another pig was hit 13 times because it had not been stunned properly.

"The NSW government ... is horrified by the video footage of mistreatment of animals at this abattoir," Primary Industries Minister Katrina Hodgkinson said in a statement on Friday.

"Starting immediately, strict measures, including additional unannounced audits and inspections, will be ramped up to ensure all domestic abattoirs in NSW are aware of their responsibility to comply with standards."

The NSW Food Authority was contacting all abattoirs to remind them of their obligations under animal cruelty laws, she said.

Ms Hodgkinson said an investigation of the Wilberforce abattoir shown in the video footage was under way and she had requested a full report.

In Canberra, Greens Senator Bob Brown has backed calls by animal welfare groups for CCTV cameras to be installed in abattoirs.

"I think that's an idea that should get very serious consideration," he said.

"We seem to have a recurring bout of scenes of cruelty domestically and overseas involving Australian livestock, and I think the public would be greatly reassured if there were greater surveillance."

Senator Brown also called for intervention from the federal government.

"I think people see this as a national issue and ... the influence of a federal position, a policy, on this is badly needed."

The abattoir said on Friday that it had sacked casual workers involved in the animal abuse and moved permanent staff to other duties.

"Casual staff involved in the incident have been stood down and permanent staff have been moved to other duties until the investigation has been finalised," it said in a statement.

Peter Day, executive director of compliance at the NSW Food Authority, said it was the worst animal welfare breach at an abattoir he had ever seen.

However, he defended the industry as a whole, labelling Hawkesbury Valley Meat Processors as a rogue operator.

"Obviously the footage we have seen, we would be of the view that it is not representative of the industry as a whole, and that this is a rogue operation," he told reporters in Sydney.

"There is no denying that the footage is disturbing. I'm shocked. I think it is the worst case I've seen in an abattoir in terms of animal welfare breaches."

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Your Comments

COnvictions please

Gideon - from Hurlstone Park, NSW, 4 months ago

"Stood down" only? Are these dangerous people to remain at large in the community? Surely the police should be interested in people capable of such gross and unusual cruelty.

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