Mallorca chicken farm inspected over sick hen claims

In Manacor, Mallorca, inspectors check a chicken farm on Tuesday after claims of sick hens, dead birds and eggs with mites. Animal welfare groups Arde and Satya Animal have reported the Avícola Son Perot farm to prosecutors. The company disputes the pictures behind the complaint and says it is the target of a coordinated campaign.

Pictures and inspection under scrutiny

Arde spokeswoman Julia Elizalde says the pictures carry location data and are dated using newspapers from the day they were taken. She says the animals are the victims and that neighbours and consumers may also be affected. The claims have not established whether the farm poses a health risk.

Inspectors from the Balearic Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Natural Environment visited the farm on Tuesday morning. Elizalde says she saw at least three wearing protective clothing. She says the groups have received no findings from the inspection and no reply to an email containing their documents.

A second farm in the spotlight

The same company plans another farm at Son Brau, also in Manacor, with up to 80,000 hens. Balearic agriculture minister Joan Simonet says Tuesday’s inspection and the new farm’s environmental authorisation are separate matters. Elizalde disagrees.

On Saturday, Arde and Satya Animal will show their documentary about large chicken farms, La pesadilla de Mallorca, at Cines Augusta in Palma, Mallorca. The groups say admission is free and 150 places are available.

Topics: Nature & wildlife · Agriculture · Palma · Manacor · Llucmajor

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com