WSPA Concerned About Latest Cruelty Footage from Indonesia

WSPA is extremely concerned about the cruelty footage from last night’s Lateline, as supplied by Animals Australia.

The Federal Government’s new supply chain process and sanctions are now being tested for the first time. There is a high level of public focus and interest. Assuming that the animals depicted last night were indeed sourced recently from Australia, WSPA hopes that firm sanctions against a proven offender reinforce the Government’s stated determination to stamp out animal cruelty not just in Indonesia, but for all Australian live exported animals.

WSPA is concerned that monitoring has not identified this incident, and that animal welfare advocates have exposed this once again. Further, we believe the phase out of the live animal trade and more domestic processing for the growing international market in meat will in fact improve the economics of the entire livestock industry.

WSPA has been working for some time on domestic processing options for cattle and sheep, including on an Australian-based meat processing facility that meets Australian laws, codes and regulations. This option would reduce cruelty and create additional jobs in Northern Australia.

Supporters can help by asking the Government to support the alternatives to the live trade. You can write a letter to your local MP via our website: http://humanechain.org or write to your local newspaper or call your local radio station to get the message out there that Australians will not stand for this cruelty and want to see an end to the live export trade.

Cruelty at Hawkesbury Abattoir

We’ve recently received a number of questions from supporters regarding the footage from the Hawkesbury abattoir in NSW that was recently exposed by Animal Liberation NSW:

http://www.smh.com.au/environment/animals/cruelty-video-rogue-abattoir-checked-four-times-in-a-year-20120210-1saat.html (Warning: article contains a video featuring graphic content)

WSPA believes that the cruelty seen at the Hawkesbury abattoir was abhorrent. The brutality that was displayed is neither legal nor acceptable here in Australia.

In Australia there are laws protecting animals, which is why WSPA believes that animals should be processed in this country. However, we only advocate for domestic processing of animals where the abattoir pre-stuns animals and meets all relevant codes, acts, regulations and laws, and where the abattoir operations are closely monitored by the relevant authorities.

WSPA has campaigned against the live export of animals for a number of years. Live export is an inherently cruel practice and WSPA is searching for the most humane solution. We believe that where onshore processing follows the necessary protocols, including pre-stunning animals, this is best for the animals and best for the Australian economy too.

The Australasian Meat Industry Employees Union (AMIEU) which has worked with us on the campaign to end live animal export, has also strongly condemned the actions of this abattoir.

Any additional questions regarding live animal export can be sent to humanechain@wspa.org.au

LIVE EXPORT CANDIDATE SPEAKS ABOUT UPCOMING ELECTION

This weekend, a by-election is being held in Port Adelaide for the seat of South Australian Treasurer. Colin Thomas (pictured below) is running for this seat as an Independent candidate on a “Ban Live Export” platform.

WSPA’s Campaign Officer Sharon Baldwin recently discussed with Mr Thomas about his campaign and why live animal export is such an important issue to voters.



WSPA: Can you tell us a little more about your background?

COLIN THOMAS: As a former Greens member, I established and convened the first ever South Australian Greens group dedicated to tackling animal protection issues. Since early 2009 I have been a central figure in organising protests and fronting the media in efforts to ban the cruel sport of jumps racing in South Australia. I am vegetarian, a lover of nature, passionate about protecting and preserving the planet we live on, and I am running as an Independent (Ban Live Animal Exports) candidate in the Port Adelaide by-election on February 11. I live at Largs Bay in Adelaide with my partner and five month old twins.

WSPA: Why is live animal export such an important issue to people in Port Adelaide?

COLIN THOMAS: Given the widespread coverage last year of the sadistic and cruel practices in many Indonesian abattoirs, the issue of live animal exports was still fresh in the minds of many Australians when again it was brought to people's attention here at Port Adelaide. More than 100 concerned citizens held spirited and vocal protests over several days, angry at the suffering of thousands of sheep on board a broken down ship that was bound for the Middle East. Port Adelaide is one of the central exit points for sheep exports destined for that part of the world.

WSPA: What do you hope to achieve if elected?

THOMAS: By securing as many votes as possible, and taking votes away from the major parties in the process, I hope to send a clear and unambiguous message that everyday citizens have had enough of the unnecessary cruelty of live animal exports, whether that is cattle to Indonesia, sheep to the Middle East or any other form of live animal export. The opportunity to raise the profile of the live animal exports issue again was too good to miss.

WSPA: How can interested supporters in Adelaide help with your election?

COLIN THOMAS: With this in mind, I am seeking volunteers for an hour or two to help give out “How to Vote” cards on polling day, Saturday February 11. Post-election evaluations of previous state and federal elections have always pointed to a better result for any candidate the more polling booths they cover on polling day. Please contact me at trufflesgonewild@hotmail.com if you would like to help out on the day.


Please note this interview is posted for informational purposes only. WSPA does not endorse any particular political candidates, and the views expressed here by Mr Thomas are his own.