Protest over cruelty allegations at abattoir

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Protesters gathered outside the T&S Abattoir in Arley on Wednesday



Protesters have called for an abattoir to be shut down, after covert footage filmed by an activist showed treatment of sheep which slaughterhouse bosses described as "shocking and disturbing".

Three staff members were sacked after the footage of T&S Abattoir in Arley, Warwickshire, was released, managers said.

Protesters gathered at the site on Wednesday.

Management at T&S Abattoir Ltd, a halal meat supplier, said it had since taken steps "to ensure that there can be no breaches of animal welfare on our site".

The footage, allegedly filmed in July, was released by animal activist Joey Carbstrong.

He told the BBC the material showed "extreme rough handling" of sheep, including hitting and dragging, as well as sheep being slaughtered in front of each other.

One local resident who was at the protest told the BBC: "We're just not getting anywhere and we're at the point now, it's got to close. It's got to close.

"You cannot tolerate the abuse that we've seen in those videos.

"It is the most horrific thing I think I've ever seen in my life and it should not be allowed to continue."

Mr Carbstrong also said many animals were displaying signs of "likely consciousness" after having their throats cut, including while some were being "dismembered".

Several residents also spoke about the "massive" impact of the abattoir on the village of Arley, saying they had been "plagued" by "foul odours" and flies.

One resident said rotting animal remains were being left on the site.

"The noise of the animals - I can't tell you how distressing it is, [so] we've had a suspicion all along," they said.

She also claimed that it was difficult to sell a house in the area, with three members of the community trying "with no success".

"People find out about it and they just don't want to know. You can't even move," she said.

Residents said the protest group included about 300 people, and that they would continue to "fight".

A Food Standards Agency spokesperson said: "We are taking this issue very seriously.

"We have already taken action to suspend several individuals from handling live animals and have increased onsite presence during all slaughter operations whilst we look into these allegations further.

"We will not hesitate to take more action as we have a zero-tolerance approach to animal welfare breaches."

[dutchman]

Abattoir licence revoked over welfare breaches



An abattoir has had its licence revoked following an investigation into animal welfare breaches by the Food Standards Agency (FSA).

Covert footage filmed by an animal rights activist at T&S Abattoir in Arley, Warwickshire last year came to light in February, prompting local residents to call for its closure.

But a spokesperson for the FSA said prior to the footage coming out, "substantial" action had already taken place at the facility - and added the breaches would be referred to the Crown Prosecution Service.

The BBC has contacted T&S Abattoir Ltd, which operates the site, for comment.

Following an investigation, an FSA panel concluded that there had been a failure to prevent serious animal welfare incidents.

The FSA told the BBC it had lacked confidence in the ability of the abattoir to deliver "consistent compliance" in regards to animal welfare.

The regulator said it could not go into further detail so as not to jeopardise any future legal proceedings, but that it had identified animal welfare failures and had removed certificates of competence from staff where appropriate.

The 21-minute video, posted by activist Joey Carbstrong, apparently showed sheep being transported from a van into a gated area in the abattoir.

T&S bosses previously told the BBC they were "shocked and disgusted" at the footage involving three employees and had "immediately" ended their contracts.

A statement from the FSA said the business had been given notice of the decision, as well as the reasons and their right to appeal.

It said: "We are continuing to work with the police who are carrying out their own investigation, as well as the local authority whose responsibilities include enforcing regulations on any environmental impact and any unapproved activities.

"We have a zero-tolerance approach to animal welfare breaches so we will always take the necessary action to protect high animal welfare standards."