Questions without notice and ministers statements
Livestock industry
Georgie PURCELL (Northern Victoria) (12:00): (877) My question is for the Minister for Agriculture in the other place. World Animal Protection have released a report on feedlots whose title is a perfect description of what they are – Australia’s hidden factory farms. This is where cows and other animals are held in extreme confinement for up to 600 days before slaughter with the primary goal of gaining weight as cheaply and as quickly as possible. If you have ever read the label ‘grain-fed’ it means the animal killed was first subjected to a feedlot. This amounts to 80 per cent of the beef sold in Australia. While most feedlots are spread across Queensland and New South Wales, Victoria is supplying animals to these locations at their final stages of life. How many Victorian cows are sent to feedlots in other states to endure this horrific practice?
Gayle TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Water) (12:01): I thank Ms Purcell for her ongoing interest in the housing of animals. This is a matter for the Minister for Agriculture. I will refer the matter on to her for a response to you.
Georgie PURCELL (Northern Victoria) (12:01): Thank you, Minister, for referring that on. Feedlots are exposed to extreme temperatures and filthy environments and are at constant risk of disease outbreak. Often these conditions are how cows are raised to produce $65-a-kilo products like Wagyu that are driving the demand for feedlot expansion. Last month at an Australian Agricultural Company owned Wagyu property in Queensland 140 cows died from thirst after their water supply was accidentally turned off. What measures are in place to ensure Victorian cows are not subjected to this cruelty as well?
Gayle TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Water) (12:02): I thank Ms Purcell for her supplementary question, which is different but related to the substantive. It will be referred to the Minister for Agriculture for a response.