Drones Used in Australia to Spy on Livestock Conditions

Animal Liberation, an Australian animal rights group, plans to use drones uncover livestock conditions on private property. Animal Liberation plans to hover the drone over free-range egg and cattle farms to uncover abuse. The drone looks similar to a helicopter and has six-blades. 

Farmers are unhappy with Animal Liberation’s plans to look into their farms. Fiona Simson, the new president of the New South Wales Famers Association, said the drones are an invasion of privacy. Farmers have a high animal welfare standard, and believe it is unnecessary to look into the treatment of animals on the egg and cattle farms. 

Mark Pearson, the executive director of Animal Liberation, said the treatment of animals in the farms are in the public interest. Since Pearson is using drones and is not walking into the farms he is not breaking any trespassing or privacy laws. Pearson said since the treatment of animals is of public interest it is not an invasion of privacy. 

In the past couple of months there has been discoveries across Europe of horse meat being used in beef products. Public interest in their consumption of meat and the treatment of animals has increased because of the contaminated meat in Europe. Animal Liberation wants to ensure Australians that their meat is being produced humanely and there is not any corruption in the cattle farms. Animal welfare is a major issue currently in politics, Animal Liberation is ensuring animals are being treated fairly.

Different associations related to the meat industry in Australia do not believe the drones will last long. The president of the Northern Territory Cattleman’s Association, David Warriner said the majority of Australian farmers follow the regulations and rules associated with animal welfare. 

Warriner believes farmers might shoot their guns at the drone. If farmers decide to shoot at the drone this will cause many safety issues. Warriner said having noisy drones flying over the cattle will frighten them. Many farmers believe using drones to spy on their farms is excessive and unnecessary. 

This is not the first instance in which drones have been used to uncover animal welfare in the meat industry. The United States in the past has used drones which resulted in an investigation of a meat packing plant in Dallas, Texas. If Australian citizens want to find out the truth of the practises employed by cattle and egg farms, the drones are a good way to legally discover the treatment of livestock.

1. http://www.onegreenplanet.org/news/australian-group-plans-to-use-drones-to-fight-animal-abuse/

2. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/animal-liberation-spying-drones-attract-ire-of-farmers/story-fncynkc6-1226609953499