Cruel cruelty to animals

Italian chicks have their toes melted off

Turkey chicks have their claws melted off without stunning.(Bild: Farm Sanctuary)

Shortly after hatching, turkey poults in Italy have their toes melted off without anaesthetic. The infinitely cruel "toe trimming" is intended to prevent the tortured creatures from injuring themselves in the mass stables. This turkey meat is also exported to us.

It was information from an industry insider, whose credibility has been verified several times (he wishes to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals), that uncovered these incredibly cruel practices in Italy. What particularly shocks the activists: In Austria, the practice of "toe trimming", in which helpless turkey poults have their toes melted off with microwave technology just a few hours after hatching, is banned but nevertheless ubiquitous - and in the form of Italian imports.

Amputation causes unbearable pain
"The removal of the toes of the still tender chicks is demonstrably carried out solely to maximize profit, as the animals would otherwise scratch each other due to miserable husbandry conditions and thus reduce the quality of the carcass," argue animal rights activists from the "oekoreich" initiative!

Amputation is intended to maximize profit.(Bild: Farm Sanctuary)

They rely on scientific studies that clearly show that amputation of turkey poults is associated with great pain and considerable consequential damage to the animals, which is why the practice is banned in our country and is not used in a single barn. 

While our farming families produce to the highest standards, we import animal suffering. Trade and the public sector are now called upon to take effective action to ensure that such conditions are a thing of the past.

Bauernbundpräsident Georg Strasser

In view of this, the Farmers' Union is calling for an EU-wide ban on "toe trimming" - also to protect domestic turkey farmers. The reasoning is clear: Higher husbandry standards apply in Austria than in other EU countries. In order for domestic agriculture to remain competitive, the same husbandry and production standards are needed throughout the EU.

Not next to domestic quality turkey on the shelf
Another appeal from the red-white-red agricultural representatives: The public sector must lead the way and make it legally binding in the Austrian action plan for sustainable public procurement that high-quality, regional turkey meat is preferred! Food retailers are therefore called upon to immediately delist products that have been produced under such conditions! It should not be the case that foreign animal suffering products are on the shelf right next to Austrian quality turkey.

On turkey farming

In Austria, the stocking density is regulated at 40 kilos per square meter in the conventional sector. Apart from Switzerland and Sweden, no other country in Europe has a similar regulation for turkey fattening. In Germany, there is a voluntary restriction of 52 kilos of female or 58 kilos of male turkeys per square meter. In Europe, 60 to 70 kilos is common.

Once again, Bauernbund boss Strasser refers to the AMA seal of quality, which gives consumers "absolute certainty that the turkey meat has been produced under the best conditions in Europe and has been transparently controlled: Where the red-white-red seal is on it, red-white-red quality is also in it."