An animal rights activist accused of planting a hidden camera that allegedly caught a worker performing a sex act on a pig has had her charges dismissed.

Siena Callander, a senior investigator at the Farm Transparency Project, faced Bendigo Magistrates Court on Monday for a contested hearing.

The activist group's secret cameras allegedly captured Bradley O'Reilly committing a sexual act on a pig at Midland Bacon in Carag Carag, east of Shepparton, on February 11, 2024.

The footage was reported to police and O'Reilly was subsequently charged with bestiality.

Ms Callander, 32, was charged in January with trespassing, breaching biosecurity measures and installing an optical surveillance device.

Appearing in person at the regional Victorian court, the St Kilda woman pleaded not guilty and police led no evidence.

"There being no evidence led, I'll find the charges not proven and dismiss the charges," magistrate Trieu Huynh said.

In June, Ms Callander objected to giving evidence in a pre-trial hearing for O'Reilly due to her outstanding court matter.

His lawyers have previously argued the footage was inadmissible as it was illegally obtained.

The video was screened in 2024 at a Victorian parliamentary inquiry into pig welfare, prompting Liberal and Nationals MPs to walk out.

The inquiry, chaired by Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell, recommended CCTV cameras be made mandatory in all processing and farming facilities.

The Victorian government accepted 16 of its 18 recommendations in full or principle, including mandatory CCTV in piggeries.

But any consideration of mandatory CCTV would require engagement with industry and examination of privacy issues, particularly as farming facilities are often on private property, the government said in its official response.

O'Reilly's case is next due to be heard on September 2, ahead of another scheduled hearing across two days in December.

– Callum Godde

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Friday, 21st April 2023

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