Pig industry remains under threat ahead of inquiry

The Liberals and Nationals have stepped up their support for the pork industry, which is under siege from the Allan Labor Government.

If you enjoyed your traditional Christmas lunch, the bad news is Premier Jacinta Allan is now coming after your ham.

Labor has launched its ham-fisted “Inquiry into pig welfare in Victoria” – and the Liberals and Nationals are taking a stand against this attack on an industry backed by peer-reviewed, global scientific research into animal welfare.

Nationals Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland said it was imperative that regional voices were not drowned out by radical Melbourne views during the inquiry.

“The Premier is coming after a sector that contributes $488 million to the Victorian economy and supports almost 2700 full-time jobs,” Ms Cleeland said.

“The industry, so strong throughout regional Victoria, is under threat by ideological inner-city animal extremists.

“The Inquiry is a sham and an insult to an industry that already has the support of independent, audited quality assurance programs.

“Shutting down the Victorian industry will simply send thousands of Victorian jobs interstate and drive-up costs at the supermarket check-out.

“There is so much support for the industry and although submissions officially closed last Friday, late submissions are just as important.”

The Nationals are making it easy to provide submissions simply by following the link to the www.saveourbacon.com.au website.

Last week, the committee holding the looming inquiry was inundated by almost 500 powerful submissions entered on the website.

“This dark cloud over the pork industry is both sad and disturbing – but not surprising given the botched closure of the native timber industry in this state,” Ms Cleeland said.

“We can’t allow the pork industry to suffer the same fate.”