Turkey Firm Accused of Welfare Violations in Shock Bird Supply Scandal

A Farm Under Scrutiny

A turkey farm that supplies birds to Harrods has been accused of violating animal welfare standards after secret footage was captured by activists. The incident has sparked widespread concern and calls for action from various stakeholders.

Hockenhull Turkeys in Lincolnshire has been suspended from a food standards assurance scheme following the recording. The footage, obtained by the Green Britain Foundation, revealed disturbing practices such as staff members throwing the birds and one worker being caught on camera urinating in a pen with the turkeys. These actions have raised serious questions about the treatment of animals at the facility.

The firm supplies turkeys to high-end stores and butchers, particularly during the Christmas period. The Spilsby facility rears the birds before moving them on to other farms, including one which supplies Harrods - where they are then sold for up to £170.

The footage also showed workers not following biosecurity rules, such as moving between sheds without changing their boots or using foot dips. This lack of adherence to protocols poses significant risks to animal health and the integrity of the supply chain.

A spokesperson for Hockenhull Turkeys expressed their dismay at the footage, stating it does not represent the standards of animal husbandry and biosecurity they expect. They emphasized that high biosecurity and animal welfare standards are of utmost importance to them, and they acknowledged that they have failed to meet these promises.

The farm and food assurance scheme Red Tractor has suspended Hockenhull Turkeys certification while an independent investigation takes place. A Red Tractor spokesperson stated they take breaches of its standards "extremely seriously."

The site breeds turkeys and rears them from chicks before sending the young birds—known as poults—to other farms that use traditional methods to rear and slaughter the birds. These traditional methods are said to produce higher quality meat, meeting a "farmfresh" industry standard.

Harrods confirmed that while the luxury department store does not have a direct relationship with Hockenhull Turkeys, its supplier does use their breed of the birds. A spokesperson said Harrods is now "urgently investigating" whether there was a breach in standards. They added that the company's farm supplier adheres to strict standards set by the industry body, the Traditional Farmfresh Turkey Association (TFTA).

The government's Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), which monitors animal welfare on farms, is also investigating. Former Just Stop Oil and Labour Party donor Dale Vince is a trustee of the Green Britain Foundation. Mr. Vince, who also owns Forest Green Rovers FC, called for Harrods to suspend supplies from Hockenhull and launch an independent investigation. He said, "Anything less is not really living up to their reputation."

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