The investigation into the exploitation of Marinhave ducks, accused of animal abuse, is still ongoing, the Ministry of Agriculture confirmed to Lusa, which stated that the company remains inactive.
“[…] We can inform you that the investigation is still ongoing, so it is premature to draw conclusions”, said the Ministry of Agriculture, in response to Lusa.
On September 29, SIC issued a report about Marinhave, the largest duck farm in the Iberian Peninsula, located in Benavente, in which images of newborn ducks lying in the trash are published, some alive and others dead.
The images also show workers attacking animals on the farm.
A day later, the General Directorate of Food and Veterinary (DGAV) announced the opening of an investigation and indicated that Marinhave had been without animals since the beginning of that month, following the confirmation of an outbreak of avian influenza.
According to DGAV, new animals will only be introduced back onto the farm after the conclusion of ongoing investigations “and as long as full compliance with legal requirements in terms of animal welfare and biosafety is proven”.
Complementary inspection actions are underway to collect technical information, in order to evaluate the reported situations.
If confirmed, sanctions will be applied, such as administrative offense proceedings.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Sea assured Lusa that the exploration in question “remains inactive”.
At the beginning of October, the Halal Institute of Portugal, responsible for one of the certifications awarded to the exploitation of Marinhave ducks, clarified that this only covers slaughter and not breeding or transport.
Marinhave is certified by the institute for meeting the requirements for the production of Halal meat, such as, for example, that the animal, when slaughtered, faces Mecca and that a single, continuous cut is made to ensure instant death and complete bleeding.
The certification awarded to Marinhave, available on its website, expired in July. The Halal Institute did not clarify whether it was automatically renewed.
“For export markets, certification is carried out per batch, in order to comply with international requirements. In the Halal process of the company in question, the information that they [animais] would not be stunned is incorrect,” added the institute’s executive president, Azhar Vali.
Marinhave also has BRC certification, which ensures the quality and food safety of its products.
Lusa contacted Marinhave and SGS, responsible for certification in Portugal, but received no response.