Issues in Pig Farming Deepen with New Footage

Animal charity SAFE says issues in the pig industry could be even worse than previously thought, with the release of new footage of pigs being physically abused by farm workers.

Filmed on a hidden camera by activists from Farmwatch the footage, shown on TV ONE’s Sunday, reveals a mother pig’s prolonged suffering as farm workers appear to use a hammer to kill her over an extended period; rough treatment of screaming piglets, including punching, kicking and stomping; workers kicking a sow in the face and a piglet lying injured, seemingly near death, after being crushed.

The latest development follows last week’s Sunday exposé, which showed the horrific conditions pigs are forced to live in every single day on a Christchurch farm.

“This latest footage is truly shocking. We can really see that there are major issues with the New Zealand pork industry. Along with the blatant cruelty of factory farming, we are now seeing neglect and physical abuse,” says SAFE head of campaigns Mandy Carter. “This footage is from the first use of a hidden camera, with the farm selected at random. If this is what was found on the first attempt, what else is happening to the animals on these farms?”

“Not only is factory farming rampant in New Zealand, we now have clear evidence of neglect and physical abuse. It is wrong that these animals are suffering. It is wrong that MPI has failed to address these problems. It is wrong that these issues receive no attention until SAFE and activists uncover them. It is time for a change – and it can start with a ban on the use of cruel farrowing crates,” says Mandy.

“We also believe MPI is not doing enough for animals. The animals need a truly independent voice in government and we are calling for a Commissioner for Animals.”

In 2009, a campaign led by SAFE, featuring comedian and ex-pork industry ambassador Mike King, uncovered the cruelty inherent on pig factory farms. The outcry that followed led to a ban on sow stalls. Now SAFE says both the recent exposés show that pigs continue to suffer and that the animals’ welfare is ignored by NZPork and MPI alike.

ends

© Scoop Media