JOHANNESBURG - A video showing pigs in distress after being gassed with carbon dioxide (CO2) has caused outrage and led to the NSPCA laying criminal charges of animal cruelty against Enterprise Foods, trading as Pork Packers Abattoir, a division of Tiger Brands.

The animal rights group alleges that the method of “stunning” pigs prior to slaughter is considered to be unacceptable, inhumane and a violation of the Animals Protection Act.

Colonel John Moseue, Station Commander at the Olifantsfontein police station, confirmed that six charges were laid last week.

“We obtained the video footage and charged some people at the company. The docket is now at the Tembisa Magistrate’s Court for decision,” said Moseue.

Manager of the NSPCA’s farm animal unit, Grace de Lange, said they resorted to laying charges after their communication attempts failed.

“We’ve tried talking with the abattoir but they haven’t made changes,” said De Lange.

“We’re hoping for a successful prosecution and that the welfare of pigs is addressed,” she said.

However Tiger Brands says the NSPCA’s charges are invalid as their protocols are compliant with government regulations.

“Tiger Brands&39; CO2 stunning process and slaughtering protocol are approved and authorised by the relevant regulatory bodies,”



“The regulatory body in this regard is [the] Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) and Pork Packers has confirmed with the Ministry that its method is current best practice. It was also confirmed in recent meetings that Pork Packers is complying with all protocols,” noted a statement from Tiger Brands.

The NSPCA explains the gassing process:

“The process involves caged pigs being mechanically lowered into a pit (also known as a Gondola System) which is pre-filled with CO2 gas. This gondola gas system is remotely managed by Butina, an offsite Danish company.”

“After exposure to the CO2 gas, the pigs suffocate as a result of the lack of oxygen. But until they lose consciousness, the pigs display violent reactions including panic-like symptoms such as kicking, gasping and frantic efforts to escape by climbing on top of one another,” noted the NSPCA statement.

Andrew Cocks, Managing Executive responsible for Pork Packers said, “we believe that it is necessary to employ measures to avoid pain and minimise the distress and suffering of animals during the slaughtering process. In so doing, we take into account the best practices in the field and the methods permitted under the regulations.”

He said the abattoir is regularly audited by the DAFF and has received top ratings. Vets are also on site daily to check procedures.

Cocks has requested that the DAFF organise a consultative forum where all stakeholders can be informed of the standards and regulations permitted.

eNCA.com contacted the DAFF for confirmation of the claims made by Tiger Brands but no response to the request for comment was received.