A scandal surrounding retired racehorses being mistreated before being slaughtered has prompted urgent action on federal and state levels.
Federal Agriculture Minister Bridget McKenzie said the welfare of the animals would be a top priority at Friday’s meeting with her counterparts in Melbourne.
In Queensland, an independent inquiry will investigate the treatment of retired racehorses and allegations of animal cruelty at abattoirs, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced.
Ms Palaszczuk said the inquiry will be overseen by the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission and will be headed by retired judge Terry Martin SC.
She said the inquiry will determine what processes can be put in place to end cruelty to animals in Queensland.
“The inquiry will also engage the expertise of the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and is expected to report back to the Minister for Agriculture and Racing early next year,” she said.
“I reiterate that animal cruelty will not be tolerated in Queensland and that’s why my government has implemented this inquiry with the urgency it requires.”
She said a separate Biosecurity Queensland investigation into one of the abattoirs at the centre of the 7.30 story is continuing.
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The ABC’s 7.30 program was given hidden-camera video taken at the Meramist Abattoir in Caboolture, which showed former racehorses being kicked, dragged, shocked and slaughtered.
Senator McKenzie said the vision was horrific, noting animal welfare was a state government responsibility.
The federal agriculture department tabled a statement for the Senate committee.
“The Department of Agriculture’s role is limited to export abattoirs where it works to ensure Australian export standards are met,” it said.
“Consistent with the department’s responsibilities, we are conducting a critical incident audit of the facility at the centre of recent footage depicting the mistreatment of horses.”
The department will produce a preliminary report this week before determining any regulatory action which could be taken.
Queensland authorities have requested the footage from the ABC to help work out when the incidents took place.
“The department urges anyone with evidence or concerns about animal welfare to immediately report it to the relevant state jurisdiction,” the statement said.
“It’s really important that we have a discussion as the country’s agriculture ministers about how we adopt and practice world’s best animal welfare standards,” she told a Senate estimates hearing in Canberra on Tuesday.
An ABC report last week showed footage of workers at the Meramist abattoir north of Brisbane tormenting horses before they were killed.
-with AAP
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