Poor husbandry in piggery results in cruelty fine $225,000

RSPCA welcomes record cruelty fine on piggery abuse

Written by RSPCA on 16 April 2013.

News that one of Australia’s biggest pork producers has been fined a record $225,000 for cruelty has been
welcomed by the RSPCA.

“This horrific case of abuse of farm animals has finally reached its proper conclusion with the courts
acknowledging the seriousness of this incident and imposing a fine of the level not seen before in Australia for
similar cases,” said RSPCA Australia President, Lynne Bradshaw.

The Westpork piggery, based in GinGin Western Australia, was initially charged in 2009 with cruelty under the
Animal Welfare Act 2002 after an employee blew the whistle on appalling conditions in which pigs were being
kept.

Westpork pigs were being housed in filthy conditions with manure and urine piled so high that some became
sick and drowned with surviving pigs eating their carcasses.

Westpork has up to 40,000 pigs on their farm at any one time and supplies around 30 per cent of the local pork
market.

“This is just too sickening for words,” Mrs Bradshaw said today. “Apart from the shocking suffering of these
animals, WA consumers will no doubt be appalled to know where some of their pork has been coming from.

“This fine reflects the community’s expectations that farm animals bred to supply us with food should be treatedhumanely.”

Ms Bradshaw praised the Department of Local Government, which brought the charges against Westpork, and
the Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia for their support.

She also questioned the suitability of Westpork General Manager Neil Ferguson to be overseeing the welfare of
farm animals.

“Clearly, there is a management culture there led by Mr Ferguson that has no regard for the welfare of animals,”
Mrs Bradshaw said.

“If Westpork does not completely change its culture now, I see consumers voting with their feet and walking
away from Westpork products.

“The type of practices that have been in use at Westpork and the fine imposed reflects the growing disquiet in the Australian community about the abuse of farm animals.”