NSPCA CHAMPIONS LONG-TERM IMPROVEMENT IN TREATMENT OF END OF LAY HENS On 26 March 2014, the National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) was successful in negotiating a long-term strategy for the improvement of care provided to laying hens that are sold off from Quantum Food depots after their laying cycles. Quantum Foods is a subsidiary of Pioneer Foods. This followed the NSPCA’s horror findings in March when emaciated, injured and dying birds were being sold from Pioneer Food’s Phokeng depot in Rustenburg. At a meeting attended by the Chief Executive Officers of Pioneer Foods and Quantum Foods, the NSPCA’s Executive Director and the Manager of the NSPCA’s Farm Animal Protection Unit, the egg producers unreservedly apologised for the Phokeng depot incident, acknowledging that a lapse in standards had occurred and agreed that measures would be taken to upgrade the standard of the handling of hens. Quantum Foods has taken disciplinary action against all staff at the Phokeng depot. An independent investigation was undertaken to ensure that the disciplinary action was appropriate. A separate disciplinary hearing was held against the Depot Manager at which an NSPCA Senior Inspector presented damning evidence. This resulted in the removal of the Depot Manager from the employment of Nulaid. All farming and depot staff have been re-trained on the proper treatment of living creatures. The NSPCA views this as a constructive and positive move for the crucial welfare of the chickens at all the facilities. Pioneer Foods gave an undertaking that systems would immediately be set in place to improve the welfare standards of the birds to prevent suffering. These included: – • Loading trolleys to be introduced to reduce the physical handling of birds and related injuries. This process would start with immediate effect and would be completed by 30 September 2015. • The NSPCA and Quantum Foods would work together to develop a container that would be sold to buyers of smaller numbers of hens to facilitate the humane transportation of birds. This process had already commenced. POLTEK is the largest manufacturer and supplier of poultry equipment in South Africa and has offered to design a concept at once. • Humane standard poultry stunning equipment would be provided at each of their outlets and farms by 31 July 2014. This is not usually standard at cull outlets but certainly should be. • An audit will be conducted on all Nulaid farms to ensure that the Southern African Poultry Association’s (SAPA) standards are complied with. This audit to be completed by 30 June 2014. “The extreme suffering of the hens observed at the Phokeng depot left us determined to take action and address the issues on an immediate and long term basis,” said Andries Venter, Manager of the NSPCA’s Farm Animal Protection Unit. “The commitment by Pioneer Foods to upgrade systems for the handling of hens will significantly improve welfare standards. This will have far reaching effects for the hens that pass through the system.” The NSPCA was assured that unrestricted access would be granted to NSPCA personnel to all facilities which fell under the Quantum Foods umbrella. No warrant would be necessary yet the terms and conditions of entry and inspection would be consistent with those that would be granted in terms of any warrant issued under the Animals Protection Act No. 71 of 1962. This with the proviso relating to any bio-security measures or risks being taken into account. Animals are sentient beings and are worthy of consideration and ethical treatment. Pioneer Foods further confirmed that post-lay hens would be afforded the same status as laying hens and that industry standards agreed by the NSPCA would be adhered to.
Posted on: Thu, 12 Jun 2014 08:00:41 +0000