Investigation called after 'poor practice' filmed at animal disposal processor
Watch the footage that triggered the investigation
An investigation is underway by one of the country’s leading processors of animal body parts (ABP) after undercover filming shared with ITV News revealed examples of “poor practice” while handling the high risk material.
Footage shows two employees of Advanced Proteins seemingly playing around with rotting flesh. In one video a member of staff appears to pick waste out of a bin full of dead animals and throw it towards a colleague.
In another video one of the employees is seen repeatedly slapping the head of dead cow for no apparent reason.
Advanced Proteins told ITV News “Since becoming aware of the footage we have launched an investigation to assess what may have occurred and any appropriate steps that should be taken.
"All our employees receive training on working practices, relevant regulations and health and safety matters, both at their induction and on an ongoing basis.”
The two members of staff are part of a collection service that picks up animal waste from hunts around the country. Landowners and farmers pay these hunts to dispose of animals in what is called a ‘Fallen Stock’ service. In turn the hunts pay organisations such as Advanced Proteins to remove the unwanted waste.
ITV News has revealed extraordinary video commissioned by the energy firm Ecotricity in which members of hunts fallen stock services are seen standing and driving on dead animals as well as leaving bins and skips open to other animals risking the spread of disease.
Advanced Proteins told ITV News that a customer “must maintain its hygiene to an appropriate standard, including keeping the lid closed when not being loaded.”
The company may have started its own investigation, but there will be many who believe that the authorities responsible for regulation these sites should be asking questions too.
A spokesperson for the Department for Envrionment, Food and Rural Affairs said: “Robust biosecurity is fundamental, to protect human and animal health and our environment. “It is in the interest of any business or organisation to follow good practice.
"Fallen stock collectors must comply with the law, namely the Animal By-Products regulations, and can only operate under approval from the Animal and Plant Health Agency, who conduct regular inspections.
"Any breaches identified will result in enforcement action, which may lead to revocation of approval by APHA and prosecution by local authorities.”