The Tasmanian Liberal Government demands the highest standards of animal welfare in all our livestock processing operations.
Minister for Primary Industries and Water, Jo Palmer said this Government will accept no less.
“Significant work is underway to improve animal welfare outcomes in livestock processing, particularly in our abattoirs,” Minister Palmer said.
“Biosecurity Tasmania immediately commenced an investigation when the footage was first provided in November last year.
“The footage has been reviewed by qualified animal welfare experts, including the Department’s veterinarians.
“The footage has been discussed with the operators and a number of employees, together with facility owners, have also been interviewed, informing further inspections and lines of inquiry.
A detailed investigation is ongoing into the five premises shown in the footage and it is not appropriate for further comments to be made on the investigation at this stage.
“But I can advise that inspections, and unannounced visits into other processing facilities continue to be undertaken by Biosecurity Tasmania,” Minister Palmer said.
The Tasmanian Government has also committed to make video surveillance mandatory in every processing facility.
“The Taskforce that I established in late 2023 and includes representation from the RSPCA, TasFarmers, Sprout, Dairy Tas and the Australian Meat Industry Council, is looking into regulatory mechanisms that will enable video surveillance to be mandated as a priority,” Minister Palmer said.
“Biosecurity is looking at what legislative changes will be required to make video surveillance mandatory. This work will also consider the conditions of video surveillance, including viewing and quality requirements.”
A Reference Group has also been established with industry to support the introduction of changes.
“Felicity Richards chaired the first meeting of the Reference Group last week and the practicalities of the introduction of video surveillance into even the smallest facilities was discussed at length,” Minister Palmer said.
“I am advised that all but around nine of the abattoirs, slaughterhouses and knackeries in Tasmania have voluntarily installed video surveillance in their facilities,” Minister Palmer said.
“This Taskforce is developing a new Tasmanian standard, guidelines and a strategy to achieve strong animal welfare practices and meet the expectations of both the Tasmanian livestock processing industry and the community.”
The Taskforce is meeting fortnightly, with the next meeting scheduled for tomorrow.
More Media Releases from Jo Palmer
More Media Releases from the Minister for Primary Industries and Water