Media Release Media Release Media Release

17 June, 2009

Rally for the Animals: A Voice for the Voiceless

Against Animal Cruelty Tasmania (AACT) will be holding a Rally for the Animals this Saturday (June 20) on Parliament Lawns from 1pm – 2pm.  This event is scheduled to coincide with Animal Rights Awareness Week, a time when animal atrocities are highlighted around the world.

Jennifer Beer, Executive Officer for AACT declared:

‘In Australia, over 500 million animals are kept in cramped, barren enclosures where they endure a life of misery and suffering. Throughout Australia, there are approximately 300,000 breeding sows (female pigs), more than 11 million battery hens and around 488 million meat chickens (broilers) all being housed in factory farming facilities. Factory farms (or ‘intensive farms’) involve confining animals in restricted, unnatural and inhumane conditions, conditions that deprive the animals from carrying out even the most basic of their natural instincts such as being able to move around freely, forage for food or feel the sun on their bodies. Meat rabbits, turkeys and fish are also subjected to factory farming practices.’

AACT is currently circulating a petition calling for a ban on factory farming practices in Tasmania.

Ms. Beer said:

‘We are inviting people to join us on Parliament Lawn on Saturday to be a voice for the animals and demand that our Government put an end to the cruelty that animals endure on a daily basis.  We  urge the Tasmanian government to take the pro-active step of banningfactory farming practices in Tasmania.’

Guest speakers at the rally will include Emma Haswell from Brightside Farm Sanctuary, Nick McKim (Tasmanian Greens) and Jennifer Beer (Against Animal Cruelty Tasmania).

For further information:

Jennifer Beer, Executive Officer AACT: 0408 970 359