This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/norfolk/5324320.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Inquiry call after turkey cruelty Inquiry call after turkey cruelty
(about 2 hours later)
An animal welfare group has called for a government inquiry after two poultry workers were given community service after being filmed beating turkeys.An animal welfare group has called for a government inquiry after two poultry workers were given community service after being filmed beating turkeys.
Norwich magistrates were told that Daniel Palmer, 27, and Neil Allan, 30, both from Dereham, Norfolk, used poles "like baseball bats" to hit the birds.Norwich magistrates were told that Daniel Palmer, 27, and Neil Allan, 30, both from Dereham, Norfolk, used poles "like baseball bats" to hit the birds.
Both men admitted causing cruelty on 21 April this year at Bernard Matthews' Beck Farm in Felthorpe, near Norwich.Both men admitted causing cruelty on 21 April this year at Bernard Matthews' Beck Farm in Felthorpe, near Norwich.
The Hillside Animal Sanctuary called for a probe into the poultry industry.The Hillside Animal Sanctuary called for a probe into the poultry industry.
The solicitor defending Palmer and Allan, Simon Nicholls, described the conditions in the unit as "appalling" and said: "You can see why people move to an organic, more open type of farming."The solicitor defending Palmer and Allan, Simon Nicholls, described the conditions in the unit as "appalling" and said: "You can see why people move to an organic, more open type of farming."
He added: "You can imagine working in that kind of environment on a long-term basis. It must be really quite awful."He added: "You can imagine working in that kind of environment on a long-term basis. It must be really quite awful."
'Hideous actions'
Mr Nicholls also said the pair - who no longer work for Bernard Matthews - were influenced by "peer pressure" and part of a "culture" at the plant.Mr Nicholls also said the pair - who no longer work for Bernard Matthews - were influenced by "peer pressure" and part of a "culture" at the plant.
A member of staff from Hillside secretly filmed the pair after sneaking into the unit because concerns had been raised about the welfare of birds.A member of staff from Hillside secretly filmed the pair after sneaking into the unit because concerns had been raised about the welfare of birds.
At Norwich magistrates court, Allan said he was suffering from stress and saw it as a form of anger release. Palmer said he was ashamed.At Norwich magistrates court, Allan said he was suffering from stress and saw it as a form of anger release. Palmer said he was ashamed.
Daniel Palmer, left, and Neil Allen admitted ill treating birds
Jonathan Eales, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, told magistrates that Palmer and Allen were both employed on contracts to work as turkey catchers.Jonathan Eales, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, told magistrates that Palmer and Allen were both employed on contracts to work as turkey catchers.
Mr Eales said investigators who filmed them heard Allen say "you throw them, I'll hit them".Mr Eales said investigators who filmed them heard Allen say "you throw them, I'll hit them".
'Hideous abuse'
He said: "They were using poles which they had been using to help round up the turkeys and these were used like a baseball bat.He said: "They were using poles which they had been using to help round up the turkeys and these were used like a baseball bat.
"(A vet) who saw the tape described the abuse as the most hideous and blatant actions he had seen.""(A vet) who saw the tape described the abuse as the most hideous and blatant actions he had seen."
Wendy Valentine, founder of the Hillside Animal Sanctuary, based near Norwich, said she would like to see a Government minister order an inquiry into the industry.Wendy Valentine, founder of the Hillside Animal Sanctuary, based near Norwich, said she would like to see a Government minister order an inquiry into the industry.
Bernard Matthews said in a statement: "We fully supported the RSPCA's decision to prosecute two people employed by a sub-contractor following the horrific incident of bird cruelty in April."Bernard Matthews said in a statement: "We fully supported the RSPCA's decision to prosecute two people employed by a sub-contractor following the horrific incident of bird cruelty in April."
The pair were each ordered to complete a 200-hour community order.The pair were each ordered to complete a 200-hour community order.