The Liberals and Nationals have thrown their support behind the under-siege Victorian pork industry following a biased Inquiry backed and rubber-stamped by Labor.
The Nationals’ Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, said the recently released Committee report into Pig Welfare in Victoria demonstrated a lack of impartiality, fairness, and scientific evidence while raising serious questions about future plans for pig farming in Victoria.
“It is extremely concerning and disappointing that Labor MPs have backed extreme restrictions on Victoria’s pig farmers with no scientific evidence to back it up,” Ms Cleeland said.
“Labor had the numbers, they had the opportunity to stop this nonsense, instead they sat silent.
“This report should send a shiver down the spine of not only pork producers, but all agricultural producers in Victoria.”
Ms Cleeland said Labor consistently supported a biased Chair who demonstrated a gross lack of neutrality throughout the proceedings.
“This was evidenced by animal extremists’ illegal trespassing often being promoted during hearings, while pork producers were cut-off or ambushed with obscure lines of questioning,” Ms Cleeland said.
“The Committee recommendations place extreme, costly, and unnecessary regulatory pressure on Victorian pork producers.
“The pork industry already has strong regulation with producers meeting these requirements through regular independent audits.
“The committee report is another example of an MP pushing their own agenda and promoting left ideology instead of science and fact.”
Ms Cleeland said the Liberals and Nationals would continue to fight for the rights of the pork industry despite the outcome of the inquiry.
“This is just the start of the fight for us,” Ms Cleeland said.
‘’The Liberals and Nationals minority report’s recommendations are based on science and fact.
“Many of our recommendations call on the industry to work on a national level with the support of the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture to further modernise an already world leading industry.
“This ensures that the most contemporary science is adopted, and all states will be encouraged to implement the same set of rules and apply them equally across the country.”
