Media Release

‘Vote to Stop Factory Farming’ protest action in progress (Dunedin)

17 September 2014

An activist has scaled a 20m high silo tower at a Dunedin pig and egg-production factory farm this morning in protest of factory farming. He aims to inform voters that the power to ban factory farming is in their hands when they vote this Saturday.

The activist, Carl Scott of DARC (Dunedin Animal Rights Collective), is occupying the tower at Bloems farm on Highcliff Road on the Otago Peninsula and has blocked off the only access ladder. He has hung a large banner that reads, ‘Vote to Stop Factory Farming’ and plans to stay up on the tower from dawn until dusk.

This year the public has seen footage in the media of factory farmed pigs living in appalling conditions and even being violently beaten. Protest rallies were held across the country in August and were attended by thousands of people, which clearly demonstrates the desire to bring an end to factory farming.

“We want the people of New Zealand to understand this important point of difference, between New Zealand’s political parties” says Scott. “Three parties are willing to step up and take action. The others aren’t. The thousands of good caring Kiwis who respect animals, can use their vote on Saturday to help finally bring an end to factory farming cruelty.”

The three parties that have pledged to rapidly dismantle the worst practices of factory farming, such as the use of farrowing crates for pigs and colony cages for hens, are the Green Party, the Labour Party and the Internet-Mana Party.

Scott adds, “To the three parties who have stepped up, we would like to say, ‘Good on you. Thank you. And good luck this Saturday.’ Meanwhile the other parties need to realise that they are going to lose votes on this. They need to recognise that this is an issue that Kiwis care about, and respond accordingly.”

“These farms are hell on earth for the animals. The public are strongly opposed to it, and political parties are acting on it now. There is no future in factory farming,” says Scott.

The action is being coordinated by DARC and supported by a number of independent animal activists, including Farmwatch.

ENDS

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