RSPCA launches investigation at Norfolk poultry unit

An undercover report has triggered an RSPCA investigation into a Norfolk turkey farm.

Video evidence gathered by a Five News reporter allegedly showed injuries suffered by birds at White House Farm, near Diss. He is believed to have found dead and decaying birds kept alongside healthy animals turkeys suffering from severe pecking injuries and lame birds which should have been separated from the flock or humanely culled.

The farm, which is run by Redgrave Poultry, a subsidiary of Gressingham Foods – has now been removed from the list of producers who supply meat to supermarkets under the RSPCA’s Freedom Food banner.

Leigh Grant, the chief executive of Freedom Food, which was set up in 1994 by the RSPCA to improve farm animal welfare, said: “We are shocked and horrified at the images on the video and, as a result, the RSPCA has launched an investigation.

Redgrave Poultry has suspended the use of White House Farm while the RSPCA investigation is carried out: “We take matters of animal health and welfare extremely seriously,” said a Redgrave spokesman. “The standards shown in the TV footage are unacceptable and the use of this farm is being suspended until the investigation is complete.

“We have invested substantially in improving standards at Redgrave Poultry over the past few years and have passed all assurance scheme audits. We are launching our own inquiry into any failings in the standards and systems at White House Farm.”