20 May 2009
MEDIA RELEASE
Legal Pig Cruelty Sickens Nation
Group calls for whistleblowers to ‘dob in’ pig abusers
New Zealanders have been left angry and in total disbelief after MAF animal welfare investigators yesterday cleared the
intensive piggery at the centre of a national pig cruelty debate. The MAF ruling has disgusted animal advocates but they
say the announcement comes as no surprise.
National animal advocacy organisation SAFE said today it has no confidence in New Zealand’s animal welfare legislation
process when it fails to consider science and humane principles and totally ignores the collective opinion of the New
Zealand public.
“Almost every New Zealander who has viewed the disturbing footage of these pathetic incarcerated pigs condemns this as
pig cruelty. There are ample scientific reports that support this view. That is why the UK and Sweden have banned sow
stalls. What the hell kind of conditions do pigs have to live in before a pig farmer breaks the law in this country? As
of today, we may find out,” says SAFE campaign director, Hans Kriek.
SAFE is calling for whistleblowers from within the pig industry that have concerns about farming practices within the
industry, but don’t know who to speak to.
“SAFE is appealing to farm workers, drivers, packers, and others employed within the pig industry to come forward and
blow the whistle on their troubled industry. Confidentiality will be assured. It is clear this industry is in serious
trouble and can no longer be trusted with the welfare of its pig population. If you know of a pig farm that you believe
is hell on earth for pigs I want to hear from you,” says Mr Kriek.
SAFE has already received sensitive information about other pig farms since the exposé on the Sunday programme. The
group wants information identifying pig farms where there is extreme animal cruelty or neglect that is likely to result
in MAF taking legal action once a complaint is made.
“SAFE will be making official complaints to MAF in the coming weeks for them to investigate each and every one of these
horrific farms. Since the Minister of Agriculture and the New Zealand Pork Industry Board have publicly admitted being
completely unaware of industry practices we are appealing to those on the ground who actually know what’s going on.”
“New Zealanders were almost convinced by the New Zealand Pork Industry Board that this ousted farmer was a rogue, now
they know he is one of the country’s leading pig farmers. This demonstrates just how bad the situation is within the pig
industry.”
Whistleblowers
People with information can phone, email, fax or post information to SAFE. Details are online at http://www.lovepigs.org.nz/Latest-news/Mike-King-story/Whistleblowers/
ENDS