Community work for illegal chicken processor

The conviction and sentencing of a garage-based chicken processing operation reinforces the food safety risks around the illegal slaughter and sale of animals, says the Ministry for Primary Industries.

Rong Yu Zhen, 36, a self employed chicken processor from Manukau, earlier pleaded guilty to multiple charges involving the illegal slaughter and sale of poultry, under the Animal Products Act 1999.

At the Manukau District Court on Wednesday (March 5), Zhen was convicted and sentenced to 175 hours Community Work as he was unable to pay a fine, and his business Rong Yu Enterprise was convicted and discharged.

Four large incubators, a de-feathering machine, scales, $13,475 in cash and other business items were ordered forfeit to the Crown.

Documents seized from Zhen’s home showed the offending involved 110 transactions where at least 2620 chickens were sold to retail outlets and individuals for $52,000.

Zhen had supplied local retail outlets with illegally slaughtered poultry from his own property, says David Blake, MPI Investigations Manager, North. Those restaurants have been separately dealt with by MPI, and reminded of their obligations.

The requirements that govern operations such as poultry processing and sale exist for good reason, he says.

“We see this as blatant and sophisticated offending outside of the food safety system.

“The Ministry will continue to use all resources available to detect and prosecute operators whose actions threaten human health and animal welfare.”

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