The L214 association denounces animal abuse in a pig farm highlighted by Herta

The animal defense association L214 is broadcasting a new video on Friday, December 3, shot in a pig farm located in Limoise, in Allier. The breeding in question is highlighted by Herta to illustrate its “Preference line”. L214 announces to file a complaint against the breeding for “mistreatment” towards the animals and for “deception of the consumer” against Herta, which markets delicatessen and delicatessen products.

The association was able to shoot a video in this farm, particularly in the maternity wards, where “sows give birth to chain piglets”. We see the animals “locked in cages barely larger than their bodies“so much so that the sows “struggle to get up”.

“Under these conditions, we see that they happen to run over one of their young when lying down.”

Association L214

Communicated

Pictures also show piglets “that are born in an environment of metal, plastic and concrete“. Many of them die at birth. In the video, the breeder can be seen picking up piglets “dead by the dozen, and kill piglets deemed too puny by smashing their skulls”.

Of “conditions of extreme promiscuity” which favor “aggression between animals” for L214. “Instead of giving pigs more room and litter, we systematically cut their tails to prevent them from biting and injuring themselves”, deplores the association which recalls that “this breeding practice is prohibited by regulation”.

“He is a breeder that we have been helping and supporting for some time”, reacts on franceinfo, Arnaud de Belloy, general manager of Herta, who affirms that there was “a recent audit” on the breeding in question. “There is a real need to help breeders who frankly want to improve, we must stop criticizing them”, annoys the boss of the brand.

“We will see what is in conformity and what is linked to assemblies [de la vidéo de L214] and if there are deviations, we will take the necessary actions. “

Arnaud de Belloy, Managing Director of Herta

to franceinfo

While warning against possible “montages” of the video that would tend to exaggerate the situation, Arnaud de Belloy says he takes “this very seriously”. According to him, the members of L214 are “Anti-breeding professionals. They are doing their propaganda. We will watch what is happening and we will answer all the elements”.

For the association, it is indeed an intensive breeding in “Deplorable breeding conditions for pigs and not in accordance with regulatory requirements”. “Herta is lying to us”, claims L214 which points to a communication of the company which does not conform to reality. The brand emphasizes “its commitments”, engaged in the “Préférence sector” since 2013, which “initiates an approach more respectful of the environment and animal welfare”.

For his part, Arnaud de Belloy defends his commitments which are implemented at the cost of“investments to improve our products”. “We want to develop sectors that are as virtuous as possible but not everything is done overnight, we never said we were perfect”, he retorts.

L214’s investigation also focused on pigs that go to the slaughterhouse, and which are “stored on a quay for more than 19 hours without food and without having the place to lie down all at the same time. The loading is done by blows of electric prod”, details the association. Pictures also show “a whole arsenal of medicinal products, including antibiotics which have expired for 10 years”.