Aussie Farms Run On ‘Cruel' Animal Welfare To Supply Meat To UK

Shock as trade deal with UK looms

- Nada Farhoud

Animal charities have joined forces to issue a stark warning about Australia’s low welfare standards days before Britain agrees to a trade deal.

The RSPCA and sister charity – RSPCA Australia – say British consumers could be buying products of practices that are too cruel to be carried out here.

Chief executive of the Australian charity, Richard Mussell, said that standards there “fall below” those in the UK and were “basic at best”.

He said: “We still do not have Australia-wide laws that ban the use of sow stalls in pig production, barren battery cages in egg production or require pain relief for dehorning of calves and mulesing of lambs.

“Standards are rarely audited and, unless implemented into law, which few are, they are only voluntary.

“The lack of national leadership on animal welfare in Australia needs to be addressed urgently if the lives of farm animals are going to be improved.”