For the press

Survey #2 - Turkey farms in Montérégie and Lanaudière

The press release

Shocking investigation into turkey farms in Quebec: Disturbing images expose decomposing corpses and severely injured animals, in violation of industry rules

An animal protection organization calls for reform of Quebec legislation as turkey consumption soars in the run-up to the holiday season

Montreal, December 18, 2024 – A new investigation into two turkey farms in the Montérégie and Lanaudière regions reveals severely injured animals, cruelly slaughtered and living in unsanitary environments.

The videos, captured by whistleblowers and released today by BESA (Bien-être et sécurité animale), show decomposing corpses and birds suffering from deformities, ulcers, open wounds and infections. The conditions revealed by the investigation are in contradiction with the codes of practice governing the industry.

Click here to watch the video (images are difficult). We also have high-resolution pictures to send you (see below for some examples).

Stunning a turkey with a club

According to the Code of Practice, killing a bird by clubbing (a method known as manually applied blunt force trauma) is acceptable only under specific conditions:

The animal is immobilized with appropriate restraint devices
A single precise blow must cause immediate unconsciousness
The employee verifies that the animal is deceased; if not, another method of euthanasia is applied

In the video, however, an employee is seen striking an unrestrained turkey several times. Several minutes later, the animal is still moving.

“This killing can certainly not be described as euthanasia, as it is prolonged, stressful, brutal and painful,” comments Dr. Jean-Jacques Kona-Boun, a licensed veterinarian with DMV.

Agonizing turkeys

Still according to the Code of Practice, breeders must treat or euthanize ailing birds and remove corpses daily. However, the investigation shows decomposing corpses and agonizing animals, too weak to move and likely to die of thirst.

“The characteristics of this type of farming can also lead turkeys to practice cannibalism and show various signs of stress that can go as far as distress,” explains Dr. Kona-Boun.

The law must change

Since 2015, the Civil Code of Québec has defined animals as “sentient beings”, not things. The Animal Welfare and Safety Act exempts livestock farms from the requirement to respect animal welfare if they follow generally recognized rules.

MAPAQ – Quebec’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food – is responsible for improving animal health and welfare. At the same time, its mission is to promote the prosperity of the bio-food industries.

BESA is calling Premier François Legault, Minister of Justice Simon Jolin-Barrette and Minister of Agriculture André Lamontagne to commit to revising the Animal Welfare and Safety Act so as to no longer allow the industry to self-regulate in terms of animal welfare standards. In addition, BESA is calling for animal welfare issues to be removed from MAPAQ’s responsibility and entrusted to an independent body. This approach is also advocated by the Parti Québécois, notably by MNA Pascal Bérubé, the party’s agriculture and food critic. Québec Solidaire’s program also calls for an end to industry self-regulation, mandatory codes of practice and farm inspections.

“The images clearly show what animals go through when the government fails to protect them and lets the industry self-regulate,” explains Nathe Perrone, spokesperson for BESA. “It’s absurd that the ministry responsible for farm animal welfare is the same one responsible for the prosperity of the industry. There is a clear conflict of interest.”

To support this change, BESA is calling on consumers to send a clear message to the government and the industry by saving an animal this holiday season. “The industry responds first and foremost to its profits,” explains Nathe Peronne. “It’s by showing our desire to move towards animal-friendly products, like plant-based alternatives, that the industry will truly understand that we don’t agree with this treatment of animals, no matter how much it’s hidden behind smiling logos.”

Turkey farming in Quebec

Several million turkeys are fattened for meat every year in Quebec. They are sent to slaughter at around 4 or 5 months of age, even though these birds can live up to 10 years.

“The conditions revealed by this investigation are not exceptional. They are commonplace on farms where hundreds of birds are kept in monotonous, overcrowded and stressful environments. Selective breeding causes these turkeys to grow rapidly, at the expense of their health and well-being,” indicates Christiane Bailey, researcher in animal ethics and coordinator of Concordia University’s Social Justice Centre.

Invited to comment on this investigation, Christiane Bailey asserts that “these images demonstrate the urgency of having a social debate and a collective dialogue on the way we treat farm animals in Quebec. The status quo is not acceptable. These animals are our responsibility and in urgent need of care.”

According to 2020 data, 36% of turkey sales in Quebec take place during the holiday season.

Quotes

“These shameful marketing practices, totally at odds with reality, are the result of an industry that seeks to maximize its profits by intensifying production while giving the image of respecting animal welfare. In the end, everyone loses: the consumers, who are shamelessly lied to; the breeders, who have to endure ever-harsher paces and conditions; and the animals, who suffer and die in abominable conditions.”

– Nathe Perrone, spokesperson for BESA

“Millions of people across Quebec are getting ready to do their holiday shopping. They have a right to know the conditions under which the turkeys sold in the province’s supermarkets are raised. The suffering of farmed animals is contrary to the values of Quebecers.”

– Félix St-Germain, philosophy teacher at a Cégep

“Animal farming is part of a deeply rooted economic system based on the exploitation of animals and the commodification of their bodies. By exposing this reality, we aim to bring about profound societal and personal transformations, in the service of the common good. The abuses we have witnessed reflect an industry that operates without any real oversight.”

– A whistleblower