Maple Lodge Farms Ltd. of Norval, Ont., has lost in an
appeal of a fine for abusing spent hens during transport to its slaughter
plant.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency imposed the penalties
and this week a federal judge ruled against the company’s appeal on two counts.
The company faces another 58 penalties assessed during 2008
and 2009.
The volume of imported spent hens has soared as processors
seek additional chicken supplies at lower prices than charged by the Canadian
marketing boards.
The chicken marketing boards have been lobbying the federal
and provincial governments to find ways to restrict imports of spent hens from
the U.S.
Animal welfare groups have also been keeping a watch on
truckloads of poultry and hogs moving to packing plants in the metropolitan
area of Toronto.
Maple Lodge’s plant is at the western outskirts of Brampton.
Quality Meat Packers has a hog-packing plant in Toronto that is surrounded by
condominium homes.
