Halal abattoir accused of cruelty goes into administration

ADMINISTRATORS are understood to have been called into a halal abattoir which hit the headlines earlier this year after hidden cameras were used to film the alleged mistreatment of animals.
By The Newsroom
Published 12th Aug 2015, 15:30 BST
Animal Aid screen grab taken from spy-cam footage of a halal slaughterhouse, where sheep have their throats cut without being stunned, which led to action by the Food Standards AgencyAnimal Aid screen grab taken from spy-cam footage of a halal slaughterhouse, where sheep have their throats cut without being stunned, which led to action by the Food Standards Agency
Animal Aid screen grab taken from spy-cam footage of a halal slaughterhouse, where sheep have their throats cut without being stunned, which led to action by the Food Standards Agency

The Yorkshire Post understands Leonard Curtis have been appointed as administrators for Bowood Farms Ltd, with buyers for the North Yorkshire business currently being sought via its website.

In February the Food Standards Agency said it had launched an investigation into the footage from the Bowood Lamb abattoir in Thirsk, saying it was considering whether prosecutions should be brought.

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Animal rights group Animal Aid used hidden cameras to record footage over a period of three days in December which appeared to show sheep being kicked in the face and head, lifted by their ears, fleeces or legs, and hurled into solid structures.

Animal Aid screen grab taken from spy-cam footage of a halal slaughterhouse, where sheep have their throats cut without being stunned, which led to action by the Food Standards AgencyAnimal Aid screen grab taken from spy-cam footage of a halal slaughterhouse, where sheep have their throats cut without being stunned, which led to action by the Food Standards Agency
Animal Aid screen grab taken from spy-cam footage of a halal slaughterhouse, where sheep have their throats cut without being stunned, which led to action by the Food Standards Agency

Today a spokesperson for the Food Standards Agency said investigations into the incident were continuing.

A spokesperson from the Food Standards Agency said: “We are in the process of completing a full investigation into the circumstances of this incident with a view to referring the case to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), who will consider whether there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest for the case to be prosecuted.”

Bowood Lamb said at the time the footage was released in February it had dismissed one member of staff and suspended three others.

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In a statement it said: “Bowood Lamb makes animal welfare its highest priority. We set very high standards for the way in which animals that pass through our premises are treated and we enforce those standards rigorously.

“Everyone working for us knows and understands the standards we require.”

Thirsk halal abattoir bosses’ “regret” over cruelty claims

Related topics:Food Standards AgencyNorth YorkshireThirskYorkshire Post