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PETA activists stage demo in front of KFC outlet

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE June 27. Activists of the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) staged a demonstration in front of the outlet of Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) on Brigade Road on Friday.

They were protesting against the alleged ill treatment of chicken by the outlet. They alleged that the birds were kept in traumatic conditions and were killed before they completed their lifespan. Thousands of birds were crammed into sheds that stink from accumulated waste. The birds were handled and transported in a cruel manner, the activists added.

The police had made security arrangements to prevent untoward incidents.

KFC denies charge

However, in a statement, Pankaj Batra, Director-Marketing of the company, said: "KFC is committed to the wellbeing and humane treatment of chicken. We ask all our suppliers to follow welfare guidelines developed by Yum!Brands, our parent company in the U.S., with experts on its animal welfare advisory council. In India, we source chicken from Venkateshwara Hatcheries Ltd. (Venkys) which also supplies chicken to several reputable hotels and restaurant chains.''

J.M. Desai, Director, Venky's India Ltd., said: "We are committed to the wellbeing and proper treatment of broiler birds. The company has complied with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, which requires all commercial broiler contract farmers to follow welfare guidelines developed by it. The contract is terminated if any farmer does not follow these guidelines.''

The KFC's poultry welfare guidelines broadly cover raising of chicken, catching and transporting them, and storage. It is stipulated that the birds should be stunned and made unconscious before slaughter. Guidelines are also laid down for quick and painless slaughter.

The Yum!Brands council has a number of U.S. experts connected with animal science faculties in various universities in that country. There are no India-based advisors on this council.

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