The Farm Transparency Project says anonymous activists “covertly investigated” the piggeries and captured video and still images.
The project says footage has been released from five piggeries, and 15 more from around the state will follow.
Farm Transparency Project executive director Chris Delforce said the Australian pig meat industry was “entirely irredeemable”, and the government must support farmers to rapidly transition away from a business that is out of sync with Australian values.
“What we see in the footage we've published today is the reality inside every farm that raises pigs for slaughter,” he said.
Mr Delforce said the images had been forwarded to Agriculture Victoria so it could investigate the claims of animal cruelty.
VFF Pig Group president David Wright said the illegal activities of activists who endanger farms and pigs and cause ongoing trauma for hard-working farmers and communities must be called out.
“The Victorian pig industry maintains the highest levels of animal welfare standards, as demonstrated by the science-backed evidence presented to the Parliamentary Inquiry into Pig Welfare,” Mr Wright said.
“We won’t let illegal activities undermine the care we give our animals.
“These activists are not interested in facts or science, instead they push an ideology aimed at ending Australian meat production entirely.
“Their illegal trespass, bullying, theft and harassment must be met with the full force of the law and they must be held accountable.
“Our farmers will continue to uphold the highest levels of care for our animals, while delivering high-quality, sustainable and affordable protein to Australians.”
Agriculture Victoria confirmed it had received a complaint on Tuesday, January 28.
A spokesperson for the department said Agriculture Victoria takes any report of a breach of animal welfare laws very seriously.
“These reports are being investigated as a matter of priority,” the spokesperson said.
“The report received is now being assessed to determine any further actions.”
23°C