Campaigners lay flowers at Lancashire slaughterhouse exposed for cruelty

Around 35 campaigners laid flowers and held banners reading ‘Stop the Slaughter’ during a peaceful vigil outside the Malik Food Group slaughterhouse near Burnley yesterday.

The vigil, which was organised by Animal Aid and Lancashire Animal Save, came in response to an undercover video taken at the slaughterhouse by Animal Aid, which shows sheep having their throats hacked at – in one case seven times – and animals being thrown. The Food Standards Agency, which regulates animal welfare in abattoirs, has launched an urgent criminal investigation into animal cruelty after being alerted to what it describes as “serious non-compliances with animal welfare legislation.” One slaughterman has already had his license revoked and been suspended. However, despite widespread instances of lawbreaking being found, the company is still trading.

Says Luke Steele, Farming and Slaughter Campaigns Manager, Animal Aid:

“Campaigners laid flowers and mounted a poignant vigil at Malik Food Group to show sympathy for animals who have suffered at the slaughterhouse. Shocking undercover footage captured at the abattoir by Animal Aid shows barbaric and deliberate scenes of cruelty being inflicted on animals. A criminal investigation is underway but, contrary to what many may believe, the slaughterhouse is still trading.

“We want to ask caring people everywhere to stop the kind of suffering filmed by simply swapping animal products for a meat-free alternative. Never before has it been so easy to enjoy a cruelty-free meal.”

Says Stephanie Richardson, Regional Organiser, Lancashire Animal Save:

“It is shocking to see the cruelty that happens behind the closed doors of a slaughterhouse and a disgrace that animals have been subject to such levels of inhumanity. Our goal to raise awareness about the plight of farmed animals was successfully achieved during the vigil. We believe that a life is precious and through peaceful campaigning we will continue to speak up for some of the most vulnerable and often forgotten members of society, the animals.”

ENDS

Luke Steele
Farming & Slaughter Campaigns Manager, Animal Aid
Tel: + (0) 1732 264546 Ext 233
Luke@AnimalAid.co.uk

Notes for editors:

• Print quality photographs taken at the vigil are available above, with full permission for republication granted.
• Animal Aid conducted undercover filming at Malik Food Group, Dunnockshaw Farm, Dunnockshaw, Burnley, Lancashire, BB11 5PP, over two days between 2 March and 21 March 2017 inclusive.