Farm assurance scheme Red Tractor has suspended Hockenhull Turkeys’ certification while it investigates allegations of welfare breaches after campaigners took secret footage at the farm.
Based in Spilsby, Lincolnshire, Hockenhull Turkeys supplies poults to farms, including a farm that supplies Harrods. In July and August this year, campaigners from environmental charity Green Britian Foundation captured footage of workers at the farm not following biosecurity and welfare measures, including an incident in which one worker is shown urinating in a pen where the birds are located.
Investigations underway
Red Tractor farm assurance scheme has launched an investigation into the allegations. A spokesperson from Red Tractor commented: “We have taken immediate action to suspend this producers’ Red Tractor certification whilst we conduct an independent investigation. An assessor was on site on Tuesday to investigate the concerns raised by the footage.
“To be Red Tractor certified all assured producers must uphold our standards for animal welfare and food safety. We take breaches of these standards extremely seriously and will always act on credible evidence of non-compliance.”
The Animal and Plant Agency (APHA), which is responsible for monitoring animal welfare on farms, has also launched an investigation. A spokesperson for the Government agency stated: “We take breaches of animal welfare legislation very seriously and will always take action where we find this.
“We are investigating this case.”
Staff suspended
In a statement, Hockenhull Turkeys have said: “We are appalled and very concerned to see this footage. It does not represent the standards of animal husbandry and biosecurity we expect.
“High biosecurity and animal welfare standards are of the utmost importance to us and it is clear here that we have failed to live up to that promise.
“Our management team has immediately commenced a review and we will ensure the lessons from this are learned. We have implemented a full investigation and the members of staff seen in the footage have been suspended from the business until the review is completed.
“The vast majority of our staff care deeply for the animals in their care. This video does not represent a typical day at Hockenhull, and we wish to emphasise that the actions seen in it do not comply with the policies and standards we set.
“We are committed to resolving the problems seen in this video and thank those involved for bringing the issues to our attention.”
