Media Release

23 June 2004; immediate use

Viva! Claims Second Victory as M&S Duck Supplier Goes Out of Business

Following Marks & Spencer’s announcement that it is withdrawing factory-famed whole duck from sale after a Viva! undercover exposé of conditions on one of its suppliers’ farms, the supplier in question has today announced that it is going into administration.
 
The investigation by the vegetarian campaign group exposed the squalid, cramped and filthy factory-farm conditions in which ducks were kept by Manor Farm Ducklings, a supplier to Marks & Spencer, Iceland and Safeway. The video showed distressing images of sick, injured, dead and decomposing ducklings at two Manor Farm sites. The exposé was featured in the national press and followed by nationwide protests against M&S in April. Following a meeting between Viva! and Marks & Spencer earlier this month, the store has announced that it will shortly be replacing all factory-farmed whole duck with free range birds.
 
Manor Farm Ducklings is the second largest duck producer in the UK and has a 24% market share. It has been in business for fifty years and recently launched a new image and range of products. The company is continuing trading at present while a buyer is sought
 
Says Viva! campaigner Justin Kerswell: “The events of the last few days go to show that consumers still have power over businesses which are involved in animal abuse – even back room boys like Manor Farm. These kinds of suppliers conduct their trade out of the public eye but once they are exposed, public support evaporates. But this is not just about one company – the kind of problems we exposed at Manor Farm are endemic to the industry. If Manor Farm is bought by another company nothing will change except the name on the letterhead. The only way people can ensure that they aren’t supporting animal suffering is by boycotting the products of factory farming and becoming vegetarian.”
 
 
Contact: Justin Kerswell on 0117 944 1000
 
Notes for Editors
 
Viva! has still and video images from the investigation available in most formats on request. Still images of protests outside Marks & Spencer stores are also available.
 
More information about Manor Farm Duckling’s business situation can be found here
 
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