Provisioner logo
Provisioner logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Provisioner logo
Provisioner logo
  • NEWS
    • Industry News
    • Supplier News
    • Case Studies
    • Recalls
    • Regulations
    • New Consumer Products
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Newsletters
    • Source Book
    • Sponsored Insights
    • Events
    • Webinars
    • Classifieds
    • White Papers
    • Provisioner Store
    • Market Research
  • MEAT PROCESSING
    • SUSTAINABILITY
    • Processing
    • Packaging
    • Ingredients
    • Formulation
    • Food Safety
    • Special Reports
    • Commentary
  • PROFILES
    • Processor Profiles
    • Processor of the Year
    • Top 100 Processors
  • MEDIA
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
  • DIRECTORY
  • MIHOF
  • INDEPENDENT PROCESSOR
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • ARCHIVE ISSUES
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • JOIN!
Meat and Poultry Industry News

Poultry producer to investigate possible turkey abuse

By Tom Wray
November 20, 2008

LEWISBURG, W. Va. – Poultry grower Aviagen Inc. said Wednesday that it will investigate a video that appears to show abuse of turkeys at the company’s West Virginia farms.

The video was released by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and reportedly shows workers stomping on turkeys heads and twisting their necks. The video was made by an undercover investigator who worked on the farms for two months.

"We condemn any abuse of the animals in our care and will take swift action to address these issues," Aviagen said in a statement released to the media. The company said it was investigating the actions and workers shown in the video. The supervisor involved has already been suspended pending the outcome.

PETA filed a criminal complaint on Tuesday alleging animal cruelty, according to the Greenbrier County, W. Va. Sheriff's Department.

Sherrie Rosenblatt of the National Turkey Federation (NTF) questioned PETA’s release of the video a week before Thanksgiving and said that the turkey industry takes pride in the health and care of its flock. She also said the industry has had animal welfare guidelines since 1980 and called the actions in the video “isolated.”

 

Source: Associated Press

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • A cow eating grass and a chicken standing next to it in a field.

    The Top 100 Meat & Poultry Processors of 2026

    The 2026 Top 100 Meat & Poultry Processors highlights...
    Processor Profiles
    By: Fred Wilkinson
  • Breaded chicken nuggets on a white plate.

    Food safety programs prioritize prevention, verification, and traceability

    Across processing operations, food safety strategies are...
    Meat and Poultry Processing
    By: Sammy Bredar
  • An open double cheeseburger on a white plate, the top bun beside it, along with a side of seasoned fries.

    How convenience is driving summer grilling innovation in 2026

    Demand for high-quality, convenience-driven formats...
    Independent Processor
    By: Sammy Bredar
You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Manage My Account
  • eMagazine Subscriptions
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Online Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service
  • Connect with The National Provisioner

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the The National Provisioner audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of The National Provisioner or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  •  two individuals standing by a farm gate
    Sponsored byPIC

    When PRRS Hits Home: The Chinn Family’s Story and a Hopeful Future

  • A smiling man carrying a grocery basket is reaching down to pick up a package of meat in a grocery store.
    Sponsored byPIC

    The Green Light: New Data Shows 12-to-1 Support for Pork from PRRS-Resistant Pigs

  • Close up of a grocery cart full of groceries, a cropped image of a couple pushing the cart and a blurred background of the vegetable aisle.
    Sponsored byPIC

    New Market Research Finds Consumers in Eight Key Pork Markets Are Likely to Purchase Pork from Gene-Edited Pigs

Popular Stories

JBS USA logo

JBS USA closing pair of processing facilities

Kroger logo

Kroger to acquire Giant Eagle for $1.65B

Justin Ransom interview

USDA's Justin Ransom discusses the Small Processors Action Plan

2026 Top 100 Meat & Poultry Processors Report

Events

July 16, 2026

Strengthening Food Safety Plans for Modern Processing Operations

The live webinar will explore the latest technologies, emerging risks, and practical strategies shaping food safety programs across meat and poultry processing operations. Attendees will hear from industry experts on key challenges impacting processors today, along with approaches for strengthening and updating food safety plans across their facilities.

January 1, 2030

Webinar Sponsorship Information

For webinar sponsorship information, visit www.bnpevents.com/webinars or email webinars@bnpmedia.com.

View All Submit An Event

Products

Food Crime: An Introduction to Deviance in the Food Industry

Food Crime: An Introduction to Deviance in the Food Industry

See More Products
The National Provisioner 2026 Food Safety Report

Related Articles

  • Butterball issues full response to claims of turkey abuse in undercover activist video

    See More
  • News Brief Feature

    WTO to investigate India's ban on U.S. poultry, eggs

    See More
  • Poultry producer allegedly paid Texas governor's airfare

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • Handbook of Meat, Poultry and Seafood Quality, second edition

  • Handbook of Poultry Science and Technology, Volume 1, Primary Processing

  • Poultry Meat Processing, Second Edition

See More Products

Related Directories

  • California Poultry Federation

    The California Poultry Federation (CPF) represents the state’s turkey and chicken producers and marketers. A trade association formed in 1990, the CPF represents all segments of the industry including growers, hatchers, breeders and processors. The CPF is also the representative for the California Squab Producers, the largest squab processing facility in the world, and represents ducks, games birds and other meat poultry as well.
  • U.S. Poultry & Egg Assn.

    U.S. Poultry & Egg Association is the world’s largest poultry association, representing the entire industry as an “All Feather” Association. Membership includes producers and processors of broilers, turkeys, ducks, eggs, breeding stock, and allied companies. USPOULTRY is also the managing partner for the International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE).
  • National Turkey Federation

    Since 1940, the National Turkey Federation (NTF) has served as the national advocate for America’s turkey industry, raising awareness for our members’ products while strengthening their ability to profitably and safely deliver wholesome, high-quality and nutritious food to consumers worldwide. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., NTF represents more than 95 percent of the turkey industry. Nearly 300 companies from every sector of the industry are affiliated with NTF, including growers, processors, hatchers, breeders, distributors, allied services and state associations.
×

Stay ahead of the curve. Unlock a dose of cutting-edge insights.

Receive our premium content directly to your inbox.

SIGN-UP TODAY
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • Newsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2026. All Rights Reserved BNP Media, Inc. and BNP Media II, LLC.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing