Pig industry
Georgie PURCELL (Northern Victoria) (12:10): (91) My question is for the Minister for Agriculture, and it relates to the gassing of pigs in abattoirs across Victoria. CO2 stunning is branded by the pork industry as humane. In fact it was introduced in a series of measures set to improve animal welfare. Instead, this horrific practice involves groups of pigs being stacked into chambers and lowered underground, where toxic fumes slowly and painfully suffocate them. Pigs struggle for minutes as they writhe around in agonising pain. Instead of improving poor welfare, the pork industry is simply hiding it underground, where painful screams and desperate attempts to escape can easily be ignored. Without enforcement or oversight, the pork industry has claimed so-called cruelty-free products without scrutiny. Can the minister advise how PrimeSafe assess whether to approve or deny a pig-gassing facility?
Gayle TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education, Minister for Agriculture) (12:11): I thank Ms Purcell for her question and her ongoing commitment to raising animal welfare issues, which she has done so ably in the chamber this morning and indeed through a variety of questions to me and others over the course of her tenure in this place. Can I say that obviously animal welfare is a priority of this government, and that is demonstrated by the budget allocations that we have allocated over the last couple of budgets. We are always on the lookout to have an understanding of any of the technological advancements that are being made and the latest science so that we can inform ourselves as to what the continuous improvements can be in the field of animal welfare, in particular when it comes to abattoirs.
There are currently nationalised consistent regulations that I am aware of that are specific to pigs and the gassing or stunning of pigs prior to the slaughter. They are rendered unconscious prior to slaughter, and I am further advised that controlled atmospheric stunning using CO2 gas is permitted under these nationally consistent regulations. It is my understanding that the department is currently working to a national approach, which is underway, and we do support the development of national standards for pig welfare. We also of course, with lots of other animal areas, are looking for a nationally consistent approach, and that definitely is the case.
What I would say to you and to other members here and the public in general is that if there are livestock welfare concerns I would ask people to call the Agriculture Victoria hotline, which is 136 186. Of course people are more than encouraged to contact PrimeSafe directly to lodge their concerns, and I would appreciate people’s confidence and ability to do so. Again, to reiterate, we are constantly on a search for new technologies to ensure that animal welfare conditions are appropriate, particularly in abattoirs, and we will continue to do that. Of course we are wanting the latest science to inform the approach of government now and into the future.
Georgie PURCELL (Northern Victoria) (12:14): Thank you to the minister for her response. I would like to note that it is very difficult to report incidents of poor welfare when that poor welfare is actually legal. However, the 2014 Rivalea exposé showing gas stunning of pigs brought welfare issues to the public’s attention. It led to published scientific studies that affirmed more humane methods must be considered. Pigs are one of the most intelligent and emotional animals that we share this planet with, yet their level of suffering is immeasurable. Will the minister consider reform to improve gas-stunning welfare issues or consider alternatives?
Gayle TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education, Minister for Agriculture) (12:15): I thank Ms Purcell for her supplementary question. Ms Purcell quite rightly knows that the government is very active in the space of animal welfare reform and legislation. There will be an exposure draft that will be developed. There has been a lot of discussion so far that is forming the basis of legislation that will come before this house next year, but there will be further consultations in relation to a whole range of animal welfare issues. I look forward not only to seeing what the drafts might look like but to the conversations, which are going to be very active conversations, I might say, among the groupings that perceive the rights of animals as being very high in the hierarchy of things and the lots of people in the primary producer area of farming animals that will be very vocal as well.