Exclusive Interview with DxE Brighton Activist on Exposure of Hoads Farm Cruelty

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This show features an exclusive interview with “Jake” from Direct Action Everywhere (DxE) Brighton on the recently held protest within Hoads Farm after exposure of footage spanning six months of the horrid conditions suffered by the chickens kept there. To start this episode, we had co-presented the Vancouver première of the must-see film The Animal People this week, and co-host Leah shares with us her experience there as Vancouverites gathered to watch the compelling story of social justice activists fighting against corporate greed.

Hoads Farm Animal Welfare Accreditation Suspended after Protest and Release of Hidden Camera Videos of Dire Conditions Within

The free range chicken farm called Hoads Farm near Hastings, East Sussex in the United Kingdom (UK) had its license suspended by the RSPCA after animal rights activists exposed footage of filthy conditions and improper care of hens in the farm (warning: graphic videos – viewer discretion is advised). The RSPCA had previously given Hoads Farm their RSPCA Assured ethical food label which indicates set standards for animal welfare on farms being met. Several major UK supermarkets such as Tesco’s, Asda, and Sainsbury have stated that they will not continue selling eggs from Hoads Farm until the RSPCA has completed their investigation into this case.

Photo of the general view of an area where free-range hens are kept in Hoads Farm.
Photo of the general view of an area where free-range hens are kept in Hoads Farm.
Close-up photo in Hoads Farm of the hens which were described by the RSPCA as "in good health and with good feather cover".
Close-up photo in Hoads Farm of the hens which were described by the RSPCA as “in good health and with good feather cover”.

This Monday, over 150 activists from Direct Action Everywhere Brighton marched into Hoads Farm and sat inside the chicken enclosure wearing protective gear. They took photographic proof of cracked eggs and their contents spilling out of containers, dirtied and injured hens missing feathers, and even dead and partially decomposed birds lying inside this free-range farm.

Six activists locked themselves with heavy chains on the farm’s driveway, surrounded by more protesters. Police officers arrived 30 minutes after the protest had been reported, but had chosen to not intervene. Activists later carried out 50 hens from the farm, only regretting that they couldn’t bring the rest to safety.

RSPCA began carrying out their investigation and upon inspection of Hoads Farm, they reported that the hens were “in good health and with good feather cover”. Despite this claim contradicting with the images and videos of the conditions within the farm, the RSPCA has not completed their investigation just yet.

Our exclusive live interview with “Jake” from DxE Brighton describes to us in graphic detail the conditions and his experience within Hoads Farm.

Here is a 7 minute video, produced by DxE Brighton, which depicts the occupation and rescue action at the Hoads Farm this Monday:

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Show produced by Alison Cole, with web content written by Asami Hitohara, and guest co-hosted by Leah Thompson.