Media Release

9 June 2004; immediate use Ofcom Rejects Bernard Matthews' Complaint Against Viva! Exposé After an exhaustive, 18-month investigation into complaints by Bernard Matthews (BM), the Office of Communications (Ofcom) has rejected the turkey producer's claim that it was treated unfairly by a GMTV exposé of conditions in one of its turkey sheds. Ofcom failed to uphold any of the allegations made by Europe's biggest turkey farmer. The campaign group Viva! invited a GMTV camera crew and reporter into the turkey shed before Christmas 2003 and the programme broadcast footage on its peak-viewing morning show. It included to-camera commentary and comment from the RSPCA on the conditions revealed. Dr Martin Potter, then Head of Farm Animals, described the scenes as 'disgraceful' and questioned standards of management. BM claimed that Dr Potter's words were 'ill-informed and irresponsible' and maintained there had been misrepresentation and distortion and that BM had been given no opportunity to respond. On Dr Potter, Ofcom found that he was well-qualified to make the comments he did. BM also claimed that injuries to birds shown on film had been caused by the 'intruders', that allegations of overcrowding were incorrect as were comments that floor litter was in an 'appalling state' - and this amounted to misrepresentation and distortion. Ofcom did not accept these claims and said that what had taken place was a legitimate investigation into conditions at BM. It added: "… it was stated that the footage indicated probably standard stocking densities and the conditions shown were common and representative of modern intensive turkey farming". On BM's claims that it had been given no opportunity to view the footage prior to transmission, Ofcom supported GMTV's position that the company had been given adequate opportunity both to view the footage and respond. Viva! has subsequently conducted investigations into intensive conditions at Bowes of Norfolk, one of Tesco's principal pig meat suppliers, and Manor Farm Ducklings, one of Marks & Spencer's duck suppliers, both of which have received widespread publicity. "What goes on inside the UK's factory-farms is never seen by the public", says Tony Wardle, Viva!'s Associate Director, "unless groups such as Viva! actually go in there and film it. And when we do, we almost always find scenes of disease, pain and acute suffering in sickening conditions - all of which are camouflaged and excused by the constantly-repeated claim of 'the best animal welfare conditions in the world'. We are delighted that Ofcom sees our work for what it is - legitimate investigation in the public interest. And we intend to continue with it, despite threats and denials". For further details of Viva!'s investigations into Bernard Matthews, click here