Durban - A Durban egg farmer has accused the SPCA of “fowl play” after the society tried to shut his business.

Cedric Cresswell said the SPCA was trying to close his operation because he sold cheaper eggs than those sold by the SPCA at its Kloof and Highway branches.

The SPCA recently accused Cresswell, an 85-year-old egg farmer who runs the Eden Rock poultry farm in Botha’s Hill, of animal cruelty. The SPCA then laid charges of animal cruelty against him.

SPCA officers inspected his farm twice in March. They found some chickens on the farm living in “horrible conditions” among faeces and many dead chickens.

The farm distributes the Star Laid egg brand to KZN supermarkets, including Spar and Makro.

Cresswell said there had been a “storm” just before the inspection and his operations had been affected.

“The situation was exaggerated by the SPCA. It was beyond our control and we were still trying to get things together when the SPCA decided to inspect,” he said.

Cresswell said the SPCA euthanised more than 30 chickens on the farm, slitting their necks, during the inspection.

“They didn’t even give us time to treat the animals or take them to our vet, but euthanised them. If this is not animal cruelty, then I don’t know what is,” he said.

This week he claimed the SPCA had ulterior-motives because it sold free-range eggs at the Kloof and Highway SPCA at a higher price than he charged.

He claimed the organisation got the eggs from his competitors. He has now brought in private investigator Brad Nathanson to look into the matter.

“I have been in the farming industry for 48 years and I love my chickens. The damning allegations have affected my business operations, and now I am beginning to understand why,” said Cresswell.

He alleged the SPCA was on an “all-out” campaign against battery-farming, which involves keeping chickens in cages or coops.

“They have no right to do this. You cannot take a stance on something when you are meant to be a neutral organisation. They have been promoting Sunshine free-range eggs for the past few years and selling them.

“I am providing protein to the masses at an affordable rate and they are not happy about it,” he said.

He said the SPCA accused him of violating the standards of the South African Poultry Association.

“I am an honorary life member of the association and I have been held in high regard by the organisation for many years. I would never violate its standards,” he said.

His son, Steven Cresswell, who runs the farm with him, said there were 25 million hens in battery-farms in South Africa and he could not understand why the SPCA targeted their farm.

“My father has also been mentoring farmers from rural areas. Now everyone has been affected by the SPCA’s actions,” he said.

The Kloof and Highway SPCA confirmed selling free-range eggs for five years.

“We do not believe it is a conflict of interest,” said Barbara Patrick, manager of the Kloof and Highway SPCA.

A court date has not yet been set for the animal cruelty charge against Cresswell.

nabeelah.shaikh@inl.co.za

Sunday Tribune