Livestock Bill threatens Animal Welfare Integrity and role of the RSPCA

In an unexpected twist, a Family First amendment to the Livestock (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill that threatens to undermine the role of the RSPCA in the welfare of farm animals has passed the Upper House with support from the Liberals and independent John Darley.

The bill itself was ostensibly an innocuous administrative one, focused on consolidating eight separate acts relating to the health of livestock into one act, supporting national agreements, refining registration requirements and making provisions for dealing with Biosecurity hazards as well as providing for the establishment of livestock advisory groups.

The previously contentious element, the cost recovery for animal health programs had already been removed from the Bill and will be the subject of further consultation.

As such, the Bill was supported by the Greens and, as we understood, the Liberals, as well as the government who proposed it. It was thus guaranteed passage though both houses of Parliament.

It came out of left-field therefore when the Hon. Robert Brokenshire put forward an amendment designed to strip control over the welfare of livestock (essentially production animals such as cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens etc) from the RSPCA who’ve traditionally had that responsibility, to the Department of Primary Industries (PIRSA).

Despite the best efforts of the Greens to speak out against it and siding with the government attempt to ameliorate the amendment, the Family First amendment managed to pass through the Upper House late on Tuesday evening.

History will record that the Hon. Robert Brokenshire’s amendment passed, but only after some misleading information was presented to parliament. (See the Hansard here)

This amendment snuck through, with two members of the crossbenches  absent from the chamber and without full and informed debate.

The Greens spoke against the amendment, highlighting the concerns around having a department like PIRSA in charge of the regulation of the industry – as well as the animal welfare role.

The potential conflicts of interest and/or for “regulatory capture” were not acknowledged, and remain a great concern. As Greens MP Mark Parnell stated at the time : “Regulatory capture … is the issue where you have agencies that are very close to an industry that find it very difficult to then step out of the role of encouragement, education and support, into the role of enforcement”.

It’s the proverbial equivalent of putting the fox in charge of the hen house.

Disturbingly, the Hon. Robert Brokenshire made a number of serious factual errors in his speech in support of the amendment – errors that would if true, have reflected poorly on the RSPCA and potentially damaged their reputation and eroded their community support.   The Parliamentary record was set straight by the Greens the next day when my colleague Mark Parnell had an opportunity to present a Matter of Interest speech to the parliament. But damage has already been done.

Of course we’ll never know whether members’ minds were actually swayed by this misinformation or not on the night, but be that as it may be, the amendment went on to pass by just two votes – with two members of the cross bench absent from the chamber at the time.

The Greens are gravely concerned that having PIRSA in charge of the welfare of farm animals is a retrograde step that could seriously setback the cause of animal welfare in this state. Whilst the RSPCA’s role in safeguarding the welfare of domestic pets will remain, if this amendment is not challenged and overturned, the welfare and living standards of literally millions of production animals could be put at risk.

Luckily, the story doesn’t end here. The Livestock Bill now heads to the Lower House where this amendment is likely to be rejected by the Government numbers in that Chamber .

The Bill may then return to the Upper House for this clause to be reconsidered.

If the numbers remains the same, it could then go to a ‘deadlock conference’ between the major parties to try and resolve any outstanding issue(s).

The good news is that you can help influence the minds of key cross bench Upper House Members who’ve not yet had a chance to have their say on this point.

You can help the RSPCA retain oversight over welfare for farm animals by contacting Dignity 4 Disability MLC The Hon. Kelly Vincent and Independent The Hon. Ann Bressington and making your feelings known that you oppose PIRSA taking over this function.

Time is of the essence so make your views known and act now before this ill-thought amendment becomes enshrined in law.

End this Hideous Cruelty!!

Bound at their feet, they are forced to watch their mates die slowly and painfully in front of them.

One by one, they squirm and writhe in agony as a blunt knife saws back and forth across their throats.

Their scream-like bellows of suffering sound almost human and fill the Indonesian abattoir until just one is left standing.

 The last of the cattle trembles violently. He knows his fate, but is helpless to avoid the same slow and painful demise.

He shakes uncontrollably – his fear is palpable – and it’s as if his heart stops before they even begin making the first cruel cut.

Sitting on the couch, I was writhing and squirming too watching the hideous scenes unfold on last week’s Four Corners program feeling shocked, outraged and emotional.

And the next day the response is incredible – it’s no longer just those “animal-loving Greenies” calling for a ban on live exports, but Australians across the board; from city dwellers to cattle farmers themselves, united in outrage after witnessing some of the most confronting scenes ever seen on Australian TV.

On talkback radio switchboards lit up as caller after caller expressed anger and resentment, confusion, disbelief and sadness on behalf of literally millions of Australian animals who are crowded onto bulk carriers to face a gruesome death in horrifyingly painful and inhumane circumstances.

And they have many questions: how can this happen? Why does it happen? And why is nothing being done to stop it?

For the live export industry, at least, the writing may at last be on the wall.

The message is out there in the mainstream media: overseas abattoirs cannot be trusted to kill Australian cattle humanely.

But the problem stretches further than Indonesia and the killing of cattle and the Government needs to get real about that. These animals might have left our shores, but that does not mean we are suddenly devoid of all responsibility.

Whilst millions of cattle and sheep are sent off on one last terminal voyage, the jobs of Australian meat workers are exported as well.

With each shipload sent thousands of miles away to face an abominably cruel fate, Aussie jobs are likewise sacrificed.

Last year alone 1000 jobs were lost in Australia and the Meatworkers Union say the live export trade is a major contributor.

The chilled meat industry is already worth triple the live export trade, so growing the chilled, frozen and processed meat export trade will only create jobs, value add onshore and maintain economic viability for producers.

It is time to look to win-win solutions and recognise the economic benefits banning the live export trade will have.

Let’s invest in the economic opportunities for Australian workers and stop the cruelty.

It is my great hope that Australians of all political and religious persuasions will unite in supporting a ban on the live exportation of all animals.

Tomorrow I’ll be introducing a motion calling on the South Australian Government to play its part in stopping this cruel and despicable trade. Let’s hope the Rann Government not only watched the Four Corners program, but recognise that this problem stretches further afield than Indonesia, yet the solution can start here at home with us.

Join the National Day of Action to End Live Exports rally in your capital city. The SA event will be held outside Parliament House, North Tce, Adelaide from noon.

The Final Hurdle Must Fall

Java Star falls at Oakbank. Source: Patrick Gorbunovs/ Sunday Mail

Why is the last hurdle seemingly hardest to conquer?

It’s been 20 years since a Senate Committee report first recommended that State Governments phase out jumps racing, yet South Australia continues to lag behind.

Although the majority of Australian states have banned jumps racing, SA is living in the dark ages on this issue, continuing to allow legalised horse cruelty.

The much-publicised death of Java Star  in the first jumps race at Oakbank on Saturday is a blatant reminder that jumps racing injures and kills.

The Victorian example speaks volumes. Statistics collated over 15 years from 1989 to 2004 show that of the 514 fatalities over that period, the risk of a fatality in jump racing was almost 19 times higher, while head, back or neck injuries were 121 times more likely and catastrophic limb injuries 18 times more common.

There’s no point sugar coating this issue. Jumps racing is legalised cruelty and horses and jockeys alike face serious injuries and even death as part of this so-called “sport”.

Animal rights groups including the RSPCA and the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses are on point in calling for a ban and we can join them by protesting with our wallets.

The Greens called on consumers to show their disgust ahead of the Easter weekend by refusing to bet at the Oakbank races.

Now the Government needs to take a stand on this issue and support the move to cruelty free racing carnivals.

It’s time for the final hurdle to fall, bringing an end to jump racing – and with it continuing horse cruelty – once and for all.

The Hidden Industry Behind the Pet Shop Window

There’s a hidden industry behind the pet shop window and the cute, doe-eyed little puppy that stares back at you.

We’ve all stood at pet shops and gawked at the gorgeous tiny creatures behind the glass.

But where do these puppies come from?

The answer is more sinister than a lot of people think, and most well-meaning people would be shocked if they knew.

Dogs might be man’s best friend, but not all dogs are treated that way.

Backyard operations and larger scale puppy factories are operating around the country. This is the hidden industry that provides the commercial pet industry with a constant stream of dogs.

Puppy factories sell to pet shops, through the internet, through print media, classifieds and markets and export puppies throughout the country and even overseas.

These “puppy factories” or “puppy farms”, as they are often called, might not sound sinister, but they refer to places where dogs are trapped in small cages for up to 24 hours a day, housed in cramped, filthy and overcrowded conditions.

They can be outdoor spaces with no protection from the elements or permanently inside large sheds or indoor cages.

The animals are fed as little as two to three times a week – often enough to keep them alive – and receive little or no vet treatment.

They also lack sunshine, play and human contact, while their mothers are treated as breeding machines, coming into their first season at four to six months of age and expected to produce two to three litters each year, until their bodies are ‘spent’ by the time they are just five to seven years old.

The reality is truly heartbreaking.

These are the puppies you’ll find in the pet shop window, shipped to puppy brokers and unsuspecting buyers country-wide.

So what can you do to help?

The Greens are lobbying the Government to take a leadership role in doing all it can to eliminate larger puppy factories and dodgy backyard operations once and for all.

Last week I spoke on the issue in Parliament (read my speech here) and we’ll be consulting with the RSPCA and other interest groups about what to do.

Puppies can’t choose what sort of start in life they have, but you can.

Never buy a puppy because you feel sorry for it – all you’re doing is ensuring another puppy will end up in the same place, adopt puppies and dogs from shelters where possible – every dog bought or bred means a shelter dog dead, never buy animals from pet shops, classified ads or over the internet and support animal-free pet shops.

Together we can bring an end to puppy factories.

Ending Sow Stalls a Win for Animal Welfare

The Greens have long opposed the use of sow stalls for pregnant pigs and it’s comforting to learn that consumers and industry have also seen the writing on the wall.

Sow stalls are small concrete and metal cages that are deliberately designed to hold the animals almost motionless. These tiny cages are jammed next to each other to optimise space, with no thought spared for the animal’s welfare.

These cells are truly horrific and I’ll be glad to see the cruel enclosures removed once and for all.

People power really does work and my recent meeting with the CEO and a South Australian delegate from Australian Pork Limited is proof of this.

The industry has committed to phasing out the use of sow stalls by 2017 and will instead commit to animal-friendly alternatives such as family pens and eco-shelters, which are increasingly being used.

The industry definitely deserves a pat on the back for committing to this deadline, especially when the Government favoured a lesser one, but it’s you the consumer who also deserves praise.

As ethical and eco-friendly products continue to gain market share, consumers are voting with their wallets in support of cruelty free options.

Even the major supermarket chains have come to the party and announced they are concerned about animal welfare in response to this consumer pressure.

It’s commendable that the industry and supermarkets are at last taking these steps to ensure Australian pigs are treated with dignity.

This decision is a win for animal welfare groups, farmers and consumers, but there is more to be done to ensure an end to animal cruelty in South Australia.

Battery hens, jumps racing, duck shooting and puppy factories are just some of the inhumane practices that come to mind.

In 2011 I’ll be putting forward bills and motions on these and other issues to protect our voiceless animals.

I hope that you will join me in making noise on these issues by contacting Parliamentarians and letting them know what you think.

Here’s to a cruelty-free 2011 and many more wins for animals, thanks to public pressure from people like you.