Police complaint made over investigation into Powys egg farm

Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed that a report has been made after Animal Justice Project put out claims about Sheriff’s Wood Eggs near Newtown.

The claims saw the farm suspended by the RSPCA and as a supplier to free range egg firm Stonegate - but both have been fully lifted and an inspection carried out by the RSPCA.

Now the police have confirmed that a complaint has been made over Animal Action Project in relation to the campaign, but a force spokesman said they were "unable to comment further at this time", and did not confirm the nature of the complaint.

The claims by the group led to the farm being investigated by the RSPCA and being suspended by RSPCA Assured, the British Free Range Eggs Producers Association and their main customer Stonegate Eggs.

Two separate investigations by the RSPCA and the British Egg Industry Council have since found that the farm is working within the required practice and the suspensions have been lifted.

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A spokesperson for Stonegate Eggs said: “The care and welfare of our flocks are of the utmost importance to us, and we take allegations of mistreatment of birds very seriously.

"On receiving the footage, we immediately suspended the farm in question pending both our own investigation and the reports of qualified independent veterinarians.

“The site was audited by an RSPCA auditor during an unannounced inspection, and separately the British Egg Industry Council (BEIC) have also carried out an audit. We have since been notified that the RSPCA have removed the suspension held against the site.

“We have been informed that the BEIC have seen no evidence to support suspension of the site. Taking the advice of independent poultry specialists and the reports from the industry approved auditing bodies we have lifted our suspension of the site and resumed collection.

"We continue to work closely with all our producers to ensure the highest welfare standards for our flocks.”