National Rally Against Factory Farming Marks Four Weeks of Suffering

Animal advocates and members of the public all over New Zealand will unite for a ‘National Day of Action Against Factory Farming’ Saturday, tomorrow 26 July in response to two recent exposés that showed horrific conditions on pig factory farms.

The Day of Action, involving rallies, demonstrations, marches and actions in Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton and Auckland, will raise awareness of the cruelty of factory farming and will call on politicians to issue a complete ban on all intensive farming practices.

“Pigs are kept in farrowing crates for four weeks at a time,” says SAFE head of campaigns Mandy Carter. “Our action today highlights this– some pigs have been unable to turn around since the horrors of pig farming were exposed 4 weeks ago.

“Can you imagine being kept in a cage so small that you cannot even move properly for four whole weeks? It is a national disgrace that this is still legal.”

Ms Carter says the Ministry of Primary Industries and NZPork are responsible for the most recent cruelty but it has become a political issue too. She says it is encouraging that the Labour Party has started to discuss a ban on factory farming.

SAFE believes that the comments made this week by the Minster for Primary Industries Nathan Guy are promising but are not enough. Mr Guy, speaking at the Government Industry Agreement signing with NZ Pork said “The writing is on the wall for farrowing crates. I expect they [NAWAC] will come back with a firm date for when traditional farrowing crates will need to be banned.”

”We must act now and are calling on all political parties to take this issue seriously, listen to the people and commit to putting an end to factory farming. A total ban on all factory farming is the only acceptable option.” Said Ms Carter.

Event details:

Rallies, marches, public demonstrations and all kinds of pig costumed events will take place from 12pm, 26th July. In the main centres politicians and representatives from animal advocacy groups will be speaking. Musicians will perform, followed by colourful marches with hundreds expected to attend. Facebook event.

AUCKLAND

Queen Elizabeth Square at 12PM (Auckland begins one hour earlier than other centres).

Speakers include a Green Party MP, Labour’s Phil Twyford MP, Mandy Carter for SAFE and Bob Kerridge for the SPCA.

WELLINGTON

Cuba Street Stage, outside Leftbank at 116 Cuba Street, 1PM.

Speakers include a Labour Party MP and Jan Logie (Green Party MP) and animal advocates.

CHRISTCHURCH

Latimer Square, 1PM.

The Green Party’s Mojo Mathers MP will speak.

DUNEDIN

The Octagon, 1PM.

Speakers include Green Co-Leader Metiria Turei. MP Clare Curran (Labour) amd Andrew LePine of the Internet Party.

HAMILTON

Garden Place, 1PM.

Speakers include Robert Moore from the Green Party, a Labour candidate and animal advocates.

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