POULTRY SLAUGHTERHOUSE CHARGED

A poultry slaughterhouse has been fined by magistrates after more than 600 died after they were transported in an overcrowded van with poor ventilation.
On 25 May 2007 at Naik Halal Poultry Limited, Castleton in Newport, an official working for the Meat Hygiene Service witnessed the arrival of a delivery of poultry. The officer was concerned with the suitability of the vehicle as it had doors with heavy rubber seals on them indicating that the vehicle load space would lack adequate ventilation for the purpose of transporting live animals. The van contained a number of poultry crates, and in these crates were hens, some of which were already dead, it appeared that the crates were over stocked. Four crates were opened and each one was counted to ascertain how many birds had been loaded per crate. After a number of dead birds were removed it was established that in each crate there were 18 animals 3 more than the recommended official guidance.

In total 1,100 animals had been transported from Tiverton in Devon to Newport, 609 had died before the end of the journey. At this point the Meat Hygiene Service officials contacted the Trading Standards Section of Newport City Council and an Animal Health Inspector attended the scene. It appeared to the Inspector that the high mortality rate was due to lack of ventilation due to the van being overstocked and unsuitable for the transportation of live animals.Following an investigation into the incident by the Trading Standards Section of Newport City Council, Naik Halal Poultry Limited appeared before the Magistrates Court at Abergavenny on 30 January 2008. The Company entered a guilty plea in respect of the charge that they caused animals to be transported contrary to the Welfare of Animals (Transport) (Wales ) Order 2007, an offence under the Animal Health Act 1981 in a way likely to cause undue suffering caused by the means of transportation.The Magistrates fined the Company £3000 and were ordered to pay costs of £450