Animal Rights Activists Target Huttons In Bid To Ban Sow Crate

This Friday, the 10th of August, Hamilton Animal Rights Defence will be starting their campaign against the sow crate. Animal rights activists, and sympathisers will be demonstrating outside the Huttons processing plant in Frankton, starting at 4:30 pm. This action comes in the light of a recent decision by the Pork Industry Board to continue the use of the sow crate, despite earlier indications and statements which promised a ban by 2012.

The pork industries use of the sow crate, a tiny metal cage in which pregnant sows are kept for three to four months of their pregnancy, has long been a controversial issue. In several months the Government will be asking for submission from the public on this issue. Animal rights activists nation wide have begun organising for a huge campaign to be carried out before, during and after the submission process.

Michael Wise, from Hamilton Animal Rights Defence, says the public are really starting to become aware of this issue, and are getting annoyed at the reactions of the Pork Board. “People are becoming increasingly angry about the Pork Boards reversal. The Pork Board have already been told to prepare for boycotts, protests and direct action. These animals are still suffering, and people won’t stand for it anymore.”

James Bone, of Hamilton Animal Rights Defence, says this is just the beginning of their campaign, and promises that it will escalate closer to the time that the Government will be asking for public submissions. “We will be networking with other groups throughout the country to ensure that the Pork Board truly feels the sting of public pressure. Every area of the pork industry will be targeted, from pig farmers, to the supermarkets that sell their products, from the companies which supply the pig farms, to the slaughter houses which kill the pigs.”

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