PRESS RELEASE.
NATIONAL SURVEY BY NIELSEN SHOWS OVERWHELMING SUPPORT FOR AUSTRALIAN CATTLE TO BE STUNNED PRIOR TO SLAUGHTER.
A national survey, commissioned by Australians for Animals Inc. and undertaken by Nielsen, has shown overwhelming support for legislation that would require the stunning of Australian cattle prior to slaughter both within Australian abattoirs and overseas.
Respondents to Nielsen’s national online Omnibus survey were asked:-
“ Do you support or oppose the introduction of a law that would require all Australian cattle whether being processed in Australia or overseas, to be rendered unconscious by stunning prior to slaughter?“
75% of those polled support stunning prior to slaughter. ( 47% strongly support, 28% support). Just 5% opposed. Support was slightly higher among women ( 77%) than men (72%) and it was also slightly higher outside capital cities (77%).*
Co-ordinator of Australians for Animals Ms Sue Arnold said:-
“Our organization believes killing cattle without stunning them prior to slaughter is a moral issue. Cattle experience pain and terror in the same way that we do. If humans were sentenced to death by having their throats cut whilst conscious, it would be a crime against humanity.
“ Australians for Animals believes the Federal and State governments must now urgently modify existing legislation to ensure that all cattle are stunned prior to slaughter in Australian abattoirs without exception. In line with community views, the export of Australian cattle to countries that cannot guarantee animals will be stunned prior to slaughter and treated humanely must be banned.
Religious requirements should not overwhelm anti-cruelty legislation.
“Politicians who oppose stunning and support the live export of cattle should be forced to witness the suffering in abattoirs caused by outdated, inhumane decisions which have no place in this or any other civilized country.”
For further comment contact:- Sue Arnold – Ph: 0266803674 mobile: 0408989862
Colin Riddell, former slaughterman at an export meatworks in Victoria for 7 years.
Ph: 0740454034 mobile: 0427632208
* About the survey 1,500 respondents aged l8+ national coverage. Nielsen Online Omnibus.
24 July, 2011
