The Greens welcome the news, revealed by the Primary Industries Minister in Parliament today, that Biosecurity Tasmania is investigating Huon Aquaculture for breaches of the Animal Welfare Act.
Tasmanians from all walks of life and corners of the island were horrified by video captured by Bob Brown Foundation of live fish being sealed into crates to suffocate to death. It was, without doubt, animal cruelty.
The industry has tried to downplay the seriousness of what happened and is possibly still happening as this mortality event continues, but anyone who has watched the footage will know this was animal cruelty, plain and simple.
Given the obvious cruelty in this video, and the Minister’s confirmation of an animal welfare investigation, it’s hard to see RSPCA reinstating their suspended accreditation to Huon.
It is good to hear the Minister say an investigation into this awful incident is being undertaken. We are also glad she has committed to making the findings of this process public.
We hope this matter will be made a top priority, with action taken as quickly as possible.
Whether by an individual or a corporation, where there’s clear evidence of animal cruelty, government needs to uphold the law.
