Reassurance after 'shocking footage' of suffering at chicken farms in Lincolnshire

Animal Equality UK said it uncovered "horrific conditions" at three Moy Park farms in Lincolnshire while carrying out a covert investigation. Locally, the company has chicken farms at Monksthorpe Poultry Farm and Ladywath Poultry Farm, Spilsby, as well as Grantham, Anwick and Lincoln.

In a shocking report, the charity said carcasses were "left to rot for days".

Since then, Moy Park, which supplies products to Sainsbury's and Tesco, has claimed the farms featured have been investigated thoroughly by local authorities and regulators and "no major breaches were identified".

However, underccover investigators for the charity say they visited farms on multiple occasions between February and April this year and found many of the birds with severe leg injuries, some unable to stand.

The footage was captured on eight British Red Tractor-certified farms earlier this year. It was passed on to Defra’s Animal and Plant Health Agency, the RSPCA and Red Tractor earlier this year.

"These birds were clearly suffering and should have been culled before they reached this advanced state of suffering," the group said.

Further footage released by the charity showed a worker caught on camera saying the suffering is “normal”. Findings included:

- Chicks slammed on arrival from containers onto farm floors, likely causing critical injury and death for many;

- High numbers of chickens killed or left to die on-site each day – in one case 500 in a single shed within a 24-hour period – due to apparent weakness or small size.

- Workers killing chickens by stretching or snapping the chicks’ necks or, in many instances, cutting the animals’ necks against sharp edges of metal feed lines.

- Chicks in overcrowded barns, unable to access outdoor sunlight or carry out their natural behaviours;

- Chickens suffering from ongoing leg issues and infections

Abigail Penny, executive director of Animal Equality UK, said: “This isn’t the first time that we’ve uncovered serious animal suffering on Moy Park chicken farms.

"Just days ago we revealed covert footage from eight other farms operated by the poultry giant, showing chickens deprived of water, suffering from painful burns and blisters, and bred to be so enormous they could barely stand.”

She added: “It is of grave concern to me that, in Moy Park’s view, there were ‘no major breaches’ and that the horrific practices filmed are permitted under current Red Tractor standards. Clearly, this is what modern chicken farming looks like. But as consumers we hold the greatest power of all and we don’t have to buy into this. You can spare animals from a lifetime of suffering, simply by choosing not to eat them.”

When probed by Animal Equality’s investigator about the alarmingly high rate of chicken deaths on-site, one Moy Park farm worker said: “I can look at a day-old chick and say that’s going to make 1.85 [kg] at 32 days or it’s not. If it isn’t, there’s no point feeding it. It’s cheaper to kill it and get rid of it. Because at the end of the day it’s about making money.”

Whilst many sectors struggle, supermarkets have seen a surge in sales over recent months. Following initial panic buying and continued stockpiling due to COVID-19, Tesco reported a steep rise in sales, with online purchases up by 48.5% in the first quarter of 2020. The major food retailer is forecasted to see pre-tax profits of £1.85 billion – nearly £300 million more compared to last year’s tax year.

Michelle Baxter Wickham, Corporate Outreach Manager at Animal Equality, said: “These chickens were left to writhe around after workers clumsily attempted to break their necks, it’s heart-breaking and outrageous. Tesco and its suppliers have paid lip-service to corrective action in the past, yet we continue to see horrific treatment of chickens.

She added: “Tesco, you’ve lined your pockets with profits – now it’s time that you put that money to good use and sign up to the Better Chicken Commitment.”

Animal Equality has launched a petition urging the grocer to sign up to the Better Chicken Commitment and eliminate some of the worst abuses within its supply chain. They join fellow animal protection organisation, Open Cages, which has been overseeing the public awareness campaign to date and has seen a number of successes, including endorsement from high-profile celebs Joanna Lumley and Chris Packham.

Animal Equality has exposed 'poor standards' in Moy Park farms several times over recent years. However, despite these repeated exposés, Moy Park was named a ‘Poultry Business of the Year’ finalist in the National Egg and Poultry Awards 2020.

Last year, a Moy Park hatchery was also awarded “Hatchery of the Year” at the 2019 National Egg & Poultry Awards.

A spokesperson for Moy Park said: “We treat this matter very seriously and upon receipt of this video in March, we immediately initiated an investigation conducted by our team of veterinary experts to ensure compliance with our animal welfare standards.

"A robust assessment of the farms and a review of the footage by an experienced veterinary surgeon specialising in poultry, found that despite the examples highlighted, the overall flocks are displaying natural behaviours and appear in good health in the majority of footage.

"The farms featured have also been investigated thoroughly by local authorities and regulators and no major breaches were identified.

"We have implemented measures to ensure the required standards are adhered to on our farms, including refreshed training manuals, and upgraded face-to-face and online training.

"Any breach is completely unacceptable and would result in immediate corrective actions.

"This particular footage is edited with an agenda in mind, and we are confident that it is not reflective of the high standards and certified practices upheld across our wider farming community.”