Game Meats Company sues activists over slaughterhouse footage

The Game Meats Company of Australia is pursuing legal action against the Farm Transparency Project in a federal court in Australia, following the release of footage depicting the slaughter of goats at their Eurobin facility. The footage was obtained during seven alleged trespasses between January and April and was submitted to the federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) on May 3. After receiving no response, the charity published parts of the footage online and shared it with Channel Seven, which reported on the graphic content. The company claims that the footage shows a minor error in their slaughtering process, while the charity argues it reflects a broader culture of animal cruelty. The Game Meats Company is seeking a permanent injunction against the publication of the footage, citing trespass, copyright infringement, and misleading conduct. They argue that the actions of the charity's directors pose biosecurity risks and that their methods of obtaining footage are extreme. During the trial, the company’s barrister emphasized that all industrial processes have flaws, while the charity's representatives defended their actions as part of a public right to know. The abattoir processes a significant number of goats daily, and the negative publicity from the footage has reportedly affected staff morale and production levels. The case raises important questions about the balance between animal rights advocacy and property rights, particularly in light of new legislation in Victoria imposing severe penalties for trespassing on agricultural properties. The outcome may set a precedent for future interactions between animal rights activists and agricultural businesses.