Two companies constituting one of the largest Breton pig farms, prosecuted for
“animal mistreatment”
following a complaint from the L214 association, were sentenced Friday by the Brest court to a fine of 60,000 euros each, including 20,000 with reprieve.
These sentences are in accordance with the prosecution's requisitions during the hearing at the beginning of February.
The two companies, Sarl Kerdoncuff and Scea de Trébeolin, managed by Dominique Kerdoncuff, 57, are also prohibited from keeping animals for one year.
These two sites, affiliated with the Eureden group (formerly Triskalia) and located south of Brest, can house more than 18,000 animals simultaneously, according to defense lawyer, David Le Blanc.
Employing around twenty employees, together they constitute the second largest pigsty in Finistère.
One of the two companies (SARL Kerdoncuff) is also fined 4,500 euros for violations linked to non-compliance with formal notices.
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The complaint deemed admissible
Finally, the civil party constitution of the L214 association, which had filed a complaint for animal abuse, was deemed admissible.
The two companies will have to pay him 2,000 euros each plus 1,000 euros for procedural costs.
Neither the manager nor his lawyer, Maître Le Blanc, wished to react to the outcome of the deliberations.
In November 2019, the L214 association filed a complaint after broadcasting a video showing dirty buildings, animals locked in cages, in distress, injured or dead.
Investigations by the gendarmerie and the Departmental Directorate for Population Protection (DDPP) will confirm this observation: sows with necrotic wounds and bedsores, absence of light, animals without care and without permanent access to fresh water, etc. During several unannounced inspections in 2019, 2020 and 2021, the same findings were made, to the point that the farm was threatened with suspension of activity.
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A job
“out of passion”
“This is the first file where, after four years, I cannot attest to the conformity of this breeding”,
Loïc Gouyet, of the DDPP of Finistère, testified at the hearing, pointing out
“a problem of competence and management of employees
.
At the bar of the criminal court, Dominique Kerdoncuff had denied any breach, claiming to do this job
"for passion"
and denouncing relentlessness and even a
"plot"
of the Eureden veterinarian, who had also alerted to the situation of this large breeding ,
“with the administration”
.