Demonstrators descend on Hartshead Meats for latest in series of protests following YouTube video outrage (original) (raw)

The company is said to be 'fully co-operating' with a Food Standards Agency investigation

Demonstrators descended on a Tameside abattoir and meat plant for the latest in a series of protests. It came following the launch of an investigation into allegations of animal welfare breaches.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) announced last month it had 'immediately initiated a full investigation' into Hartshead Meats Ltd, based at Millstone Farm just outside Mossley, following the publication of a YouTube video.

CCTV footage of 'all slaughter activity' at the site has been reviewed and 'enforcement action' taken, the FSA added. The agency confirmed the action led to certain people being banned from working with animals at the site, at which protests have been held since video footage emerged. Management have been 'fully co-operative' with the investigation, the agency said.

Click here to get the biggest stories straight to your inbox in our Daily Newsletter

Protesters have gathered at the site numerous times in recent weeks. The company said the YouTube footage 'lacks essential context and presents a distorted picture of standard industry working practices'. A spokesperson previously said it was 'recorded without consent' and 'selectively edited', adding that it 'grossly misrepresents what [they] do and how [they] do it'.

The firm said it is 'committed to maintaining the highest possible standards of animal welfare at every stage' across 20 years of 'uninterrupted operation'.

On Friday (June 6), another protest was held. Demonstrators gathered at Mossley station before walking to the plant. Some people were dressed as cows and sheep, while others banged drums and spoke over megaphones. Around 100 people gathered.

"It's not about being anti-meat," Angie Keogh said. "We've been stood here with farmers." Police officers were in attendance. Though the atmosphere was, at times, tense, there was no trouble.

Lorry drivers were seen entering and leaving the site. "I'm just doing my job," one said as protesters shouted.

In a fresh statement, a spokesperson for the company said: "Across the 20 years that we have operated uninterrupted under licence, we have been committed to maintaining the highest possible standards of animal welfare at every stage.

"As is the case for all licensed meat processing facilities, we work in cooperation with our regulator and our operations are continuously monitored and subject to independent oversight.

"We remain focused on ensuring regulatory standards are met. We will continue to constructively work with our regulators and take all necessary steps to uphold animal welfare."

In an earlier statement, the company said: "We recognise that people may be concerned by footage circulating online which grossly misrepresents what we do and how we do it. It has been recorded without consent and selectively edited.

"As a result, this footage lacks essential context and presents a distorted picture of standard industry working practices. This is part of a concerted attempt by anti-meat activists to disrupt an independent, family run business, which is a valuable community employer that supports the livelihood of dozens of local families.

"While we recognise that people may hold strong opinions on meat production, we are especially concerned that some of the commentary directed at our business has been tainted by antisemitic language and resulted in threats to the Jewish community, which we condemn absolutely.

"Animal welfare is fundamental to our work, and we are concerned that misinformation about our business has led to our team and families receiving violent threats which have caused a great deal of distress. In rare instances where individuals have not complied with our expected high standards, we have taken immediate action to remedy the situation."

"We will continue to ensure high standards of animal welfare as we provide compliant and high-quality meat processing services for our customers."