MORE SHOCKING FOOTAGE FROM AN RSPCA FREEDOM FOOD EGG FIRM

An investigation by Sky News and Viva has uncovered evidence suggesting Britain's largest egg producer is contravening strict guidelines on animal welfare.

Noble Foods own hen farms accredited to the RSPCA Freedom Food scheme, designed to offer particularly high standards of welfare for farm animals.

But footage obtained by Sky News and Viva from two farms in Fife, Scotland, suggests the guidelines are being breached.

An employee for Noble Foods was covertly filmed revealing electric wires are used to control the hens, who are also encouraged to remain indoors until 80% of them are laying.

The Happy Egg website projects the image of a playground for its hens

Another worker admitted at least one barn was infested with red mite, a parasite that causes skin irritations.

On a second visit to the farm, investigators filmed dozens of birds which had lost feathers due to disease and being pecked by other hens.

For their Happy Egg brand, Noble Foods portrays an image of welfare standards beyond the requirements of the Freedom Food scheme.

The investigation into The Happy Egg Company shows a very different picture - one of disease, incarceration, short lives and electric shocks.

Justine Kerswell from Viva

The company's website states hens are given activities to enhance their natural surroundings such as "an adventure playground and sandpit".

Yet on two separate visits to the farm Sky News discovered muddy surroundings and a water-logged sandpit.

The reality of the hell inside Noble Foods

A Noble Foods worker was recorded admitting the farm had problems with soil drainage and conditions for the hens were different to those officially portrayed.

Justine Kerswell from Viva, told Sky News: "Contented hens pecking at the ground and enjoying a dust bathe in the sun - that's most people's view of free range egg production.

"Viva And Sky News' investigation into The Happy Egg Company shows a very different picture - one of disease, incarceration, short lives and electric shocks."

In a statement, Noble Foods said: "We take the treatment of our hens extremely seriously.

"As soon as we were made aware of the video footage the company instigated an internal enquiry.

"Last night, at our request, both farms involved were audited by RSPCA Freedom Food inspectors and both were given very positive reports.

"We will continue to work with RSPCA Freedom Foods to ensure the highest possible welfare standards across our farms."

The RSPCA told Sky News they take any potential breach of welfare standards very seriously and would be suspending the farms in question from the Freedom Food scheme pending their own investigation.

Noble Foods supplies Happy Eggs to supermarkets including Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury's and Ocado.

Sainsbury's welcomed the RSPCA investigation while Ocado have announced they will de-list Happy Eggs from their range as a precautionary measure.

SKY NEWS

Euthanasia statement- RSPCA SUSPEND ILLEGAL AND BARBARIC METHODS OF SLAUGHTERING ANIMALS

It looks like all the negative publicity about the barbaric and illegal methods utilised by RSPCA slaughterman to kill animals, has forced them to review their policies.

As you may be aware, the RSPCA is currently reviewing its euthanasia policy.

The RSPCA's first concern is to prevent animal suffering and we are often called to alleviate this by putting an animal to sleep, for instance if a cat has been seriously injured in a road traffic accident.

As part of this review we are making changes to the way we deal with the handling of veterinary drugs used to alleviate suffering by putting an animal to sleep.

As a result we have decided that our non-veterinary staff will no longer use these types of drugs.

WHO ILLEGALLY SUPPLIED THESE CONTROLLED DRUGS TO NON QUALIFIED RSPCA STAFF?

WHY HAS THERE BEEN NO POLICE INVESTIGATION?

However, RSPCA vets at animal centres and hospitals will continue to have access to pentobarbitone sodium (PBS) for euthanasia purposes.

We have been in close correspondence with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons on this and have been looking to update our euthanasia procedures in line with current legislation.

CONTROLLED DRUGS ARE GIVEN BY UNQUALIFIED PEOPLE YET THE RCVS IGNORE THIS !

In those cases where seriously injured animals need to be euthanased, usually wildlife or traffic accident victims, our inspectors and animal welfare officers will look at all other options available to them, including calling independent vets to the scene.

Other forms of euthanasia will continue to be considered and used. However, we can confirm that the use of captive bolt guns on dogs is still suspended.

We have considered the welfare implications and are working with both the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) and the British Veterinary Association (BVA) on these changes.

We want to reassure the public that the RSPCA will continue to do what is in the best interest for the animals in helping to alleviate suffering.

THE RSPCA IS ALL ABOUT MAKING MONEY NOT WHAT"S IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE ANIMALS!!!

ARSEPCA

RSPCA TAKE 3 MONTHS TO RETURN OWNERS HORSES AFTER LOOSING THEIR CASE AGAINST HIM

Anglesey horse breeder reunited with his animals

A HORSE breeder on Anglesey was finally reunited with his animals after a three year ordeal fighting to clear his name after an RSPCA neglect prosecution.

Michael O’Neill, of Rainbow Farm, Pentraeth, saw trained harness racing horse Mickey-Bob, and Barney taken by officers from the animal charity in 2007 after being found in a poorly condition.

This started years of hell for the respected breeder as he was dragged through the courts, with proceedings delayed further after he had a stroke in Holyhead Magistrates Court in 2009.

In July this year he was finally cleared of all neglect charges and the RSPCA were told to promptly return his horses.

It has taken nearly three months to comply with the order but yesterday the horses arrived back on Anglesey.

Mr O’Neill, in his 50s, said the three year fight has cost him thousands of pounds and lost the potential of racing Mickey-Bob, who was bred from a top class racing father.

He said: “All that potential has now been lost and I feel very bitter and disappointed. If the horses had been returned promptly I could have covered a couple of my own mares with Mickey-Bob but it is too late in the year now.”

Mr O’Neill won the case at Caernarfon Magistrates Court after the court accepted that abscesses on their throats were caused by a bacterial infection called strangles, and not neglect.

They had been bought in August 2007 for around £10,000.

Zoe McKenna, of Rhoscefnhir, who was accused alongside him, also had charges against her dropped at an earlier date.

He said: “For three years my life has been on hold, no one wanted to know me and my business as a horse dealer came to a halt.

“Mickey-Bob was over the worst of the strangles when he was seized and the recovery is quite rapid, he would have been race fit for the 2008 season but now we will never know. I feel cheated and that Mickey-Bob has been robbed of a career that he was bred and trained for.”

Mr O’Neill, who is originally from Ireland, is the fifth generation of horse breeder in his family.

DAILY POST

How heart-warming that it took only three months for the RSPCA to return the animals that they were ordered to give back forthwith. Do you see them being committed for contempt? Perhaps the RSPCA just decided to prolong his agony (and massive financial loss) for another quarter of a year.