Workers employed by AD Harvey were filmed kicking, throwing and violently handling the chickens, and the gang was observed seizing up to five chickens at a time.
The hen was thrown around violently, kicked and slammed against a wooden box. A wooden box was forced closed over the chicken’s wings, legs and head. There were repeated acts of violence, including hitting the birds with feeders and wooden boxes.
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The birds suffered injuries from the brutal treatment, including broken bones, bruises and suffocation.
These actions violated multiple animal welfare regulations, including: Livestock Welfare (UK) Regulations 2007, Animal Welfare Act 2006and DEFRA Code of practice for the welfare of laying hens and hens.
The Animal Justice Project said that while the welfare abuse at Kettleby Farm was shocking, it was by no means an isolated incident on a UK farm with RSPCA-insured status. Mr Palmer added: “The RSPCA-insured farms we investigated revealed an extensive pattern of abuse that breached both animal welfare standards and legislation.”
Animal rights groups continue to call on the RSPCA to sever ties with its guaranteed system and instead focus on promoting a future free from animal agriculture, which causes widespread suffering and environmental damage.
AD A Harvey spokesperson said: “We believe our efforts are better than ever and remain committed to continuous improvement for the benefit of bird welfare, our employees, suppliers and customers. I’ll go.”
A spokesperson for RSPCA Assured said: “We are completely satisfied.” [AD Harvey] We currently meet all relevant RSPCA Benefits Standards, have passed an assessment by a specially trained assessor and are re-joined as RSPCA Assured.
“We have launched an independent review of RSPCA Assured, which has been carried out over a number of months, including unannounced visits to over 200 members of the scheme. I’ll let you know the results.”
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Brendan Montague is the editor ecologist online.
