Moonfleet Poultry Inc. of Fergus has won at a hearing before the Canada Agricultural Appeal Tribunal.
The issue is the welfare of 9,900 chickens transported to a processing plant.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency filed the appeal to the tribunal because it wanted its discipline on Moonfleet Poultry Inc. to proceed and result in a fine.
There was no dispute over the facts that 596 of the 9,900 chickens were dead on arrival at the processing plant.
But there was a difference of opinion over whether Moonfleet loaded the birds into acceptable crates because there were holes through which chickens could stick out their heads and legs during transport.
The chickens were tightly packed and likely over-heated and were trying to cool down, according to testimony by veterinarians for the CFIA and Moonfleet.
The tribunal ruled that the crates met animal welfare standards and ruled that the CFIA notice of violation be cancelled.
