Scenes of shocking animal cruelty came to light when footage from the Hawkesbury Valley Abattoir in north Sydney was aired on ABC's Lateline. The abattoir, which was closed as a result of the footage, slaughtered animals without stunning them. Some pigs were beaten to death slowly.

The NSW Food Authority said that the abattoir was inspected four times last year without incident. While the authority believes that the abattoir was a rogue operator, the fact that it passed inspection shows that the current level of supervision is insufficient.

Mandatory CCTV surveillance in abattoirs would ensure that any abuse would be recorded and brought to light quickly. The surveillance footage should be assessed regularly by a regulator and any infractions should be quickly dealt with.

The kind of abuse perpetrated at the Hawkesbury Valley Abattoir is completely unacceptable. Mandatory inspections are an insufficient deterrent. The government must make laws requiring mandatory CCTV surveillance in abattoirs. Help protect slaughtered animals from undue suffering. Demand stricter monitoring for abattoirs in Australia.

We the undersigned believe that Australian abattoirs should be required to install CCTV surveillance. The necessity of this action was brought to light by the footage shown on ABC's Lateline of Sydney's Hawkesbury Valley Abattoir.

This abattoir passed mandatory inspection yet the footage showed employees slaughtering animals without stunning them and beating pigs with iron bars. CCTV surveillance, regularly monitored, would have protected many animals from a needlessly cruel and painful death.

The kind of cruelty exposed at the Hawkesbury Valley Abattoir is unacceptable. Please consider enacting laws which would require CCTV surveillance in Australian abattoirs.