Animal Activists Surprise Bill English

Bill English was hoping for selfies with fans when he visited Christchurch today, but instead was met by animal activists holding placards. The activists wanted to call attention to the government’s failure to help animals suffering in factory farms. This is the second of a series of direct actions by the group Resist against the government.

Resistance Coordinator Shanti Ahluwalia said:

“We’re delighted Bill English has given us the opportunity to take our concerns directly to him, as he is normally so difficult to get a hold of.

“We are asking Mr English why he thinks it is okay to keep hens suffering in cages and pigs confined in crates. It couldn’t be the economy, as only 2% of income from animals comes from factory farmed pigs and chickens.

“How can we be expected to trust a Prime Minister that won’t help the most vulnerable of our society? Animals can’t vote, and it is very telling that Mr English doesn’t seem to care about them.”

The activists have called into question the character of the National Party in the past, saying that the government’s policies have been cruel. The government updated the Animal Welfare Act in 2015, but the activists say that is just a smokescreen.

“On paper, the government has made lots of changes for animals. In reality those animals are still suffering in the same conditions. For weeks at a time, pigs are kept in crates so small they cannot turn around. Hens are crammed into cages.

“You can’t trust a government that repeatedly claims they are helping animals, but are actually doing nothing. In 2012, they claimed they were banning cages for hens, but cages are still legal indefinitely.

“This is no different from the rest of the National Party’s politics. From their failed fiscal attack against Labour to their dirty politics tactics in 2014, they want the public distracted. We’re here to show that the animals are not forgotten.”

The activists promise that as long as the National Party is going to ignore the issues, National MPs can expect to continue to be called to account. They are calling for others to join them at resist.org.nz

ENDS

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