A protester who chained himself to a silo on a Waikato pig farm will appear in court today after being cut down by police last night.
John Darroch, a member of New Zealand Open Rescue, locked himself to the piggery between Cambridge and Te Awamutu yesterday morning in protest over factory farming, saying he would stay there for up to two days.
However, after the farm manager requested Mr Darroch be removed, police arrived to cut him down about 9pm.
Senior Sergeant Dave Simes said an angle grinder was used to remove the chains after a bolt cutter proved ineffective.
"The man had a helmet and visor placed on him to ensure his safety and he was removed without incident."
Mr Durroch, 22, would appear in Hamilton District Court today charged with trespass and being unlawfully on a property, Mr Simes said.
Open Rescue member Rochelle Rees, one of a group of protesters with banners, placards and pig costumes outside the farm yesterday, said Mr Darroch had been kept at the Hamilton police station overnight.
Ms Rees said a group from Open Rescue would be at the court to support him this morning.
Yesterday, Mr Darroch said he had visited several pig farms in the Waikato over the past month and had been shocked and saddened by what he had seen.
"It was heartbreaking to see sows who had just given birth. They were completely unable to carry out any of their natural behaviours and could do no more than stare as we walked around," he said.
He said his protest was not aimed at the Waikato farm specifically, but at the industry as a whole.
"It is aimed at an industry which is inherently cruel, and a government which refuses to act."
