KIM BOOTH, Greens Primary Industries spokesperson, www.tas.greens.org.au
The Tasmanian Greens today slammed the Primary Industries Minister’s refusal to declare an end to the intensive farming practice of “sow stalls” despite a public outcry over the appalling condition of animals at a north-east piggery earlier this year.
Greens Primary industries spokesperson Kim Booth MP also called for an increased focus on the animal welfare inspection regime, saying that the current system was woefully inadequate and did not provide for after-hours or weekend inspections.
“Sadly for Tasmania’s reputation, the shocking practice of sow stalls is set to continue under the watch of Primary Industry Minister David Llewellyn,” Mr Booth said.
“We do not want a Tasmania based on cruelty and suffering. We should be proud of the way we farm, and an end to the practice of sow stalls must be declared, with a properly funded animal welfare inspection regime be implemented.”
“The horrific example of a northern Tasmanian piggery which kept emaciated sows in undersized stalls and conditions so squalid that there were animals lying in faeces, mud and maggots, is a clear indictment on the government’s willingness to rely upon industry self-regulation, and its failure to yet introduce the random inspections which were promised in 2007.”
“Mr Bartlett has staked his reputation on turning Tasmania into the nation’s food bowl, and there is no excuse for the government’s failure to act to ban battery farming, put an end to sow stalls of all types must ensure that the community can be confident in all aspects of our animal welfare standards.”
