NSW Farmers say a group of activists were attempting to fabricate evidence of animal cruelty when they broke into a caged egg farm near Gloucester last Sunday.
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The agricultural lobby group said it was working with police and the RSPCA after a break and enter at a family owned farm about 2am on March 15.
Due to the ongoing investigation, the organisation declined to identify the farm.
A spokesman for NSW Farmers alleged a group of animal activists were responsible for triggering sensors at the property before breaking locks, tampering with cages and cramming 44 hens into a single cage.
The spokesman said the incident was a “clear breach” of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
“This type of activity is absolutely galling to farmers who are fed up with having their farms broken into and their reputations impugned,” NSW Farmers Egg Committee chair Bede Burke said.
“This appears to be the actions of animal activists seeking to set up sensationalised footage.”
“The event is a timely reminder that animal activist groups cannot be trusted and aren’t interested in being transparent with the public.
“It is ironic that in breaking in to the property, they themselves have breached animal welfare laws and put our animals at risk.
“The public needs to be informed that they should be sceptical about the footage produced by these groups.’’