During the 1970s and 1980s the suffering of animals in 'factory farms' in Australia was first raised by animal protection groups. Instead of acting on the evidence of endemic suffering, industries and governments introduced 'codes of practice' which documented current practices and provided industries with exemptions from cruelty prosecutions.

Despite animal welfare laws stating that it is an offence to be cruel to an animal, in effect these laws only protect those animals who have become our companions, whilst permitting cruel acts and practices to animals that are raised to be eaten.Currently, industry operators that cause mass suffering to animals for economic gain are exempted from the same duty of care to animals demanded of every other member of the Australian community.

To compound this injustice, the existence of 'codes of practice' is used by industries, retailers and governments to mislead the community to believe that 'codes' ensure the welfare of animals - when in fact they are directly responsible for permitting cruel practices.