An industrial chicken farm located in Pihem, near Saint-Omer, wants to triple its surface.

Opposed to this expansion, the L214 association broadcast images denouncing the conditions of animal husbandry and denounces a "delusional" extension. 

The animal rights association L214 broadcast on Tuesday evening images shot in an industrial chicken farm in Pas-de-Calais which wants to triple its surface, showing animals piled up and in bad shape, hoping to block this extension deemed "delusional".

On these images shot in March by the association, which regularly publishes "shock" videos to denounce the conditions of breeding and slaughter of animals, we can see dead chickens lying in the middle of live animals, animals limping. strongly or even chickens whose bodies seem disproportionately large compared to their heads.

"An ordeal for the animals"

The farm, which has been producing broilers since 1998 in Pihem, near Saint-Omer, wishes to triple its surface.

L214 denounces in this possible extension "a disproportionate project, an ordeal for animals, and an economic aberration".

According to the public inquiry, which took place from January 4 to February 2, breeding "is now declared for 20,500 equivalent animals, raised in a building of 1,020 m2".

"The project consists of constructing two new buildings of 2,400 m2 each, as well as a composting shed," the document states.

The investigation commissioner issued a favorable opinion on March 30, with two reservations relating to the accessibility of the site and the technical and financial capacities of the breeder.

The city council against this extension

If the prefecture gives its authorization, the number of chickens produced on the site will drop from around 150,000 to nearly 860,000 in "theoretical annual production", according to figures provided by the breeder in his request.

The Pihem municipal council has issued an unfavorable opinion to this extension, highlighting the noise and odor nuisance it raises, as well as the increase in the passage of trucks.

The prefecture will decide after the opinion of the Departmental Council for the Environment and Health Risks, which is due to meet between the end of May and the end of June.