State completes investigation of egg farm in Turner
An investigation launched last June by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry into allegations of inhumane treatment of laying hens at a egg farm in Turner has been completed.
The Sun Journal reported that the department’s investigation found no reason to pursue charges against the Pennsylvania-based Hillandale Farms’ egg production facility in Turner, which was the subject of a complaint filed by the Humane Society of the United States, which alleged animal cruelty.
Last June, when the allegations were made by HSUS based on four weeks of secret videotaping of conditions at the Turner egg farm, the department determined there was no threat to human health from the eggs produced at the Turner facility.
“We have no evidence that would suggest or indicate the eggs coming from those facilities are unsafe for human consumption,” the department said last summer in a written statement. “We have had no reports of food safety violations at the facility now or in the recent past.”
The Sun Journal reported that the case was closed after a review of investigation findings by a district humane agent in the state’s animal welfare program and an Androscoggin County assistant district attorney.
"We're not surprised that (the Maine Department of Agriculture) was unable to substantiate activist claims," a Hillandale Farms spokeswoman told the paper.
Gov. Paul LePage criticized such secretive practices at the State of Maine Agricultural Trades Show in Augusta on Jan. 10.
Most Recent
Most Recent
Comments