Kate Luke Photography: Pig Farming Protest

Just over a year ago now I photographed the protests of the Live Export industry, thousands of people rallied nation wide to speak out against cruelty that we all could see was plainly not acceptable.

Just over a week ago an intensive piggery just 15 minutes from Canberra was raided by Police, DPI, the NSW Food authority and the RSPCA. Activists from Animal Liberation ACT and NSW had uncovered video and photographic evidence of horrendous cruelty and neglect, right in our own backyard. It's quite horrifying to know this has been happening so close to us, and for what appears to be quite a long time.

Just yesterday I photographed the rally to protest this establishment, which as of today is STILL OPERATING, and other horrendous pig farming practices that are completely legal within the industry. I admit I am finding the fact that this particular piggery is still operating a little hard to understand, given the RSPCA's capacity to seize animals whom are in danger. Just recently the RSPCA seized a large quantity of dogs from a squalid puppy farm. The conditions of this piggery make one wonder why these pigs aren't entitled to the same protection.

It's a sobering experience, having been part of such a big movement as the movement to Ban Live Exports, and to have seen the passion and commitment that people had to seeing that cruelty end, only to see the trade continue with little to no effective protection implemented for the animals. I sincerely hope that this is not the case with this piggery. This type of abuse should not be tolerated. Our animals deserve so much more.

Please take the time to visit this site and look at the images and/or watch the videos of the piggeries that have been exposed, and sign the petition to close the piggery and demand inspections of all other Australian piggeries. Nobody *wants* to see these images, however it's so very important to know what is happening right in our very own backyard - and furthermore, the pigs are still at these properties, and they need your voice in order for them to be heard. Please visit http://www.aussiepigs.com.au/

Here are some images of some wonderful and passionate people from Saturdays protest.