Chickens at farms supplying Tesco 'dying in agony'

An animal protection charity has released photos and footage of chickens facing "agonising" deaths at farms which supply Tesco and other supermarkets.

‘Unprofitable’ chicks at a Midland farm were deliberately deprived of water and left to die of dehydration, an undercover investigation has found.

Animal Equality has released images and video captured covertly by an undercover investigator at eight British chicken farms across Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire.

Tesco and Ocado both said they were confident that the supplier met the necessary welfare standards.

However, the charity claims its investigator found chickens crammed into immensely overcrowded barns, barely able to move or stretch their wings.

It also claims chicks were being deprived of water as drinkers are routinely raised to a height that they are unable to reach.

All of the farms are Red Tractor-certified and operated by Moy Park, one of the UK’s largest chicken producers.

It also alleges that hundreds of chickens suffer agonising deaths each day as workers painfully crush their necks with their hands, that some birds develop raw skin burns on their feet and chests from filthy, urine-soaked floors and that some are bred to grow so quickly that they suffer from excruciating leg injuries and are unable to carry the weight of their own bodies.

Moy Park says an immediate investigation was launched upon receipt of the footage in March and a 'robust assessment' was carried out which found, despite the examples highlighted, the overall flock 'appeared to be in good health'.

A spokesperson claimed the footage was 'edited with an agenda in mind."

Michelle Baxter Wickham, corporate outreach manager at Animal Equality UK, said: “Many chicks suffer throughout their short lives from weak hearts, weak lungs and weak legs, burdened by the strain of their unnaturally heavy bodies.

"That’s why Animal Equality is calling on companies to eliminate some of these terrible abuses by signing the Better Chicken Commitment.

"Animals need action today."

Animal Equality is running an ongoing public awareness campaign, urging companies to sign the Better Chicken Commitment, as is fellow animal protection organisation The Humane League.

The Better Chicken Commitment aims to reduce the suffering of chickens used for meat by addressing the most serious welfare concerns.

The six-point plan calls on companies to eliminate fast-growing breeds, high stocking densities and often ineffective pre-slaughter stunning methods from their chicken supply chains by 2026.

A Moy Park spokesman 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."

A Tesco spokesperson said: “We require all our suppliers to uphold high animal-welfare standards. We were made aware of this footage earlier this year and immediately investigated. The farms shown have been inspected by veterinary experts, local authorities and regulators. Where issues were found, Moy Park has implemented measures to ensure the required high standards are met.”

An Ocado spokesman said it was committed to the highest animal welfare levels and worked closely with suppliers to ensure they were adhered to, adding: “All of our meat and dairy products meet the Red Tractor farm assurance standards (or international equivalent) as a minimum.

“Following an investigation by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), we are satisfied that this footage is not reflective of the practices at Moy Park and this is supported by evidence from veterinary experts.”

He said Ocado was confident Moy Park adhered to high welfare standards but it would continue to monitor the situation closely.