We recently published a report by Beeld highlighting the issues found by an animal rights group at one of the biggest chicken farms in South Africa, Boskop Layer Chicks (BLC).

It was alleged that male birds were left in a dam to either suffocate or die of starvation due to them being “economically worthless”.

"When the allegation that tens of thousands of day-old chicks were disposed of by abandoning them and leaving them to die in a cement dam was initially made, BLC voluntarily accepted suspension of its membership pending an investigation by Sapa," the company said in a statement on Monday.

The suspension will be lifted when the process of disposing of the chicks has been assessed by a veterinarian, or the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA), and is certified according to Sapa’s code of practice.

It was also reported by Bleed that the NSPCA had filed nine charges against the former North West agriculture minister Jan Serfontein and his son Jan Serfontein Junior under the Animal Protection Act.

On Monday, BLC said it was taking action over recent media reports which it described as inaccurate, misleading and sensationalist.

It pointed out that Serfontein senior was retired and was not a shareholder or a director of BLC, nor was he a member of Sapa.

BLC made it clear that the allegations of live chicks being dumped in a dam could not be corroborated during the Sapa investigation

"The allegation that this practice has been going on for 70 years is also patently false," the company said.

"The day-old chicks are currently euthanised by maceration [slaughter using a high-speed grinder]," BLC said.

"The farm-animal unit of the NSPCA has been advised timeously and before every maceration, but they have failed to attend any of the macerations."

BLC said a veterinarian had concluded a report into the chicken farm.

"The suggestions have been implemented, and are being adhered to. The veterinarian has been requested to monitor the processes followed and to regularly report thereon.

"The veterinarian will issue a certificate of compliance in due course."

The company said it would not apply for the lifting of the suspension until this certificate was issued.

"We do, however, stay fully committed to Sapa," it said.

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