Global Animal Partnership (GAP) has suspended Plainville Farms from its programs, following a preliminary investigation into allegations that turkeys raised for the Plainville Farms were abused.
The investigation followed People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals’ (PETA) release of a video that showed turkeys being mistreated in a variety of ways. PETA alleged that those turkeys were being raised for the Plainville brand.
GAP further stated it would continue to investigate the matter, and that final action would be taken following the conclusion of the final investigation.
“GAP does not tolerate and unequivocally condemns the cruel treatment of turkeys uncovered in the recent investigation,” the GAP statement read.
GAP’s suspension of Plainville Farms followed a suspension of sales of Plainville products from Whole Foods Market. A spokesman for Whole Foods said it was conducting an investigation into the matter, and would make a final determination following the conclusion of that investigation. Whole Foods stated that Plainville Farms has been cooperative during the investigation process, but it has struggled to get PETA to clarify its allegations.
Following the release of the video, Plainville Farms stated on its website: “You may have seen the horrific video of animal abuse that is being circulated in the news and online. What is shown is horrific, despicable and goes against everything this company stands for. It’s important for incidents like this to come to light, and we have already launched an internal investigation, from the top down. If any of our employees were involved, they will be held accountable.”
Previously part of Hain Celestial’s Hain Pure Protein segment, Plainville Farms was acquired in 2019 by a newly-formed investor group known as Plainville Brands LLC.
Plainville Farms, according to the WATTPoultry.com Top Companies Database, slaughtered 141 million pounds of live turkeys in 2020, but the company projected that production would increase to 146 million pounds in 2021.
