Piggery latest ‘map’ target
Activists broadcast live using Aussie Farms map
❝Farms Aussie should stop being so reckless and pull the farm map down before someone is killed. — David Littleproud
A WEST Australian piggery that activists broke into and brazenly broadcast live from to a global audience is on the Aussie Farms map hit list.
James Warden and another activist live-streamed from inside the property at Blythewood, south of Perth, on global activist group Direct Action Everywhere’s Facebook page. The broadcast was “hosted” by a US member who probed Mr Warden about alleged conditions in Australia. It has now been viewed more than 57,000 times.
WA Police told The Weekly
Times they were aware of the video and will make further inquiries.
Federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said the incident proved the controversial Aussie Farms map tracking farms and businesses across the country was nothing more than an “attack map”.
“I think the truth is the Aussie Farms organisation knows full well their map is being used to plan attacks on farming family businesses and they’re fine with that,” he said.
“They’ve lost sight of their cause and lost community support and must stop intimidating farming families.
“Aussie Farms should stop being so reckless and pull the farm map down before someone is killed.”
West Australian Pork Producers Association president Dawson Bradford said the footage was “misleading, sensational and selective”.
“It is clear from the comments made on the video that the individuals involved know little about pork production and animal husbandry,” he said.
Mr Dawson said WA producers operated under strict standards and that the industry would make itself available to anyone who “genuinely” wanted to understand production techniques.
“Contrary to the claims made in the video, we are not operating behind a veil of secrecy and are transparent about everything we do,” he said.
Mr Bradford also raised concerns surrounding biosecurity and the safety of livestock.
“If existing laws are not strong enough to deal with trespassing activists, they should be amended so farmers can be confident of going about their legitimate business and not having the health of their herd jeopardised,” he said.