CCTV cameras in Australian abattoirs might protect livestock from cruel workers

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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The footage aired on ABC television on Wednesday shows how staffers at the Inghams Enterprises plant mistreat birds. The video shows how workers stomp on the birds’ heads and slam them against machines. When Inghams Enterprises chief executive Kevin McBain was asked to comment on the matter, he said his company has very strict policies against cruelty to livestock.

“A full investigation of the incident at Tahmoor processing plant is ongoing and five employees have been terminated today as a result thereof. The installation of video monitoring within the live-bird handling areas at the Tahmoor processing plant will be completed over the course of this weekend,” he maintained.

The video created an outrage among masses. NSW Greens MP and animal welfare spokeswoman Cate Faehrmann urged to install CCTV cameras in all the abattoirs to keep a close watch.

“This footage is incredibly distressing. The behavior of the abattoir workers can be described as nothing less than sadistic. It’s time the government acted to ensure that abattoir workers and operators can no longer get away with animal cruelty,” Faehrmann said.

Animal Liberation has secretly taped over 130 violent incidents at the abattoir during the last month. Officers from the NSW police Camden area command are investigating the incidents. Animal Liberation spokeswoman Emma Hurst urged the O’Farrell government to form an independent body tasked to monitor abattoirs.

“Installing CCTV sends a strong signal to those people working with animals that animal welfare is of the highest priority and that cruelty will not be tolerated. CCTV does not replace the need to hire people with the right attitude towards animals, provide comprehensive staff training and ensure good stockmanship, but it is an excellent means by which facility management and auditors can monitor compliance with standards and regulations relating to animal welfare,” RSPCA NSW chief inspector David O’Shannessy said.

“The people identified in this footage are clearly unfit to work with animals and need to be investigated under the Animal Welfare Act,” he added.