Two Auckland poultry farms were closed after police, MAF and food safety officials raided the farms last month. Officials found up to five birds crammed into each cage, all of which measured a mere 40 centimetres high and wide. Dead hens were also found alongside emaciated live birds intended for human consumption. More than 5600 birds had to be destroyed and another 5000 relocated. Both farms are owned by Geraldus Van Den Bogaart, trading as Golden Harvest Poultry. Van Den Bogaart was already known to the authorities for operating without the necessary permits relating to risk management and hygiene. Van Den Bogaart is likely to face charges under the Animal Products Act for illegally operating a poultry slaughterhouse and may face further charges under the Animal Welfare Act. The business that supplied the chicks to the farm may also be prosecuted. A month before the raid SAFE made an official complaint to MAF when it became aware about the use of illegal battery hen cages by Golden Harvest. "SAFE is pleased that MAF has taken action against these farms but we question why it took officials almost a year to close this place down when it was obvious these farms were operating illegally," says SAFE campaign director Hans Kriek "The fact that over 5000 birds had to be killed immediately means that these birds were in a serious condition and severely suffering. Earlier intervention could have saved a lot of misery and we hope that future renegade farmers are dealt with immediately." SAFE urges MAF to prosecute and charge Van Den Bogaart to the full extent of the law to demonstrate that farmers who deliberately neglect animals will suffer severe consequences.
06 July 2008
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