Vets exposing shocking animal welfare breaches at Australian export abattoirs face ‘enormous risk’

Animals Australia said it had been approached by whistleblowers inside the industry who were fearful of repercussions for speaking out about welfare issues. Photograph: Dave Hunt/AAP

Lawyers and animal welfare advocates have urged the government to protect veterinarian whistleblowers who revealed shocking animal welfare breaches and oversight failures at Australia’s export abattoirs.

The Australian government relies on a workforce of veterinarians placed inside export abattoirs to monitor animal welfare and food safety, largely to satisfy the requirements of major trading partners such as the US and EU.