In 2019 and 2023, undercover investigators from animal rights organization ANINOVA sneaked into a massive chicken farming facility in Waldeck, Saale-Holzland district, near Jena. Known for housing around one million chickens and producing ten million chickens annually, this farm's abhorrent practices left many appalled.
Labeled as "test workers," ANINOVA's operatives secretly recorded the callous treatment of chickens, revealing illegal killing methods and flagrant breaches of hygiene regulations. The grisly images exposed by ANINOVA CEO Jan Peifer led to shockwaves across Germany's poultry industry.
In a deviation from standard procedure, employees at the facility apparently throttled the chickens, with many still exhibiting signs of consciousness and pain after their untimely deaths. Typically, poultry is humanely stunned through head injuries prior to neck breaking.
The facility boasts participation in the "Animal Welfare Initiative" and sells its poultry under the "Astenhof" brand, both part of the Sprehe Group. Based in Cappeln, Lower Saxony, Sprehe Group has unfortunately been in the crosshairs of allegations regarding animal cruelty and hygiene oversights previously.
Supermarket giants, such as Rewe, are among the buyers of Sprehe's poultry, selling it under their proprietary "Ja" brand. The authorities in July were made aware of the situation, immediately initiating an investigation, including the creation of a detailed 50-page report.
With mounting evidence against the facility, the public prosecutor's office in Gera finally received a complaint in August, prompting an investigation into suspected violations of the Animal Welfare Act. As a result, the files were forwarded to the Jena police, which is currently assessing the footage and conducting further investigations.
You might also find these articles intriguing:
- Undercover investigators from ANINOVA exposed how a chicken farming facility in Thuringia violated the Animal Welfare Act.
- The animals being mistreated in this Thuringia facility, participating in the "Animal Welfare Initiative" and selling meat under the "Astenhof" brand, faced suspicious circumstances regarding animal cruelty and hygiene deficiencies.
- Legal proceedings initiated against the farm will adhere to the Animal Protection Act's procedural guidelines, ensuring a comprehensive and objective examination of the situation.
- In light of this investigation in Thuringia, it is important to underscore the Animal Protection Act's role in preventing animal cruelty and upholding ethical farming practices across Germany.
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