Document type : article published in Le Monde
Author: AFP
Preview: Prosecutions for animal abuse after a complaint filed by L214. On Friday March 1, the Brest court imposed a fine of 60,000 euros on each of two companies that make up one of Brittany's largest pig farms, of which 20,000 euros took the form of a suspended penalty. These judgements are in line with the prosecutor's demands at the hearing held in early February. The two companies, SARL Kerdoncuff and SCEA de Trébeolin, managed by 57-year-old Dominique Kerdoncuff, are also banned from keeping animals for one year. SARL Kerdoncuff has also been fined 4,500 euros for infractions linked to failure to comply with formal notices (...) In November 2019, the L214 Group filed a complaint after broadcasting a video showing dirty buildings and animals shut up in cages, in distress, injured or dead. Investigations by the Gendarmerie and the Direction Départementale de la Protection des Populations (DDPP) confirmed these findings: sows with necrotic wounds and sores, lack of light, uncared for animals without constant access to fresh water, etc. Several unannounced inspections in 2019, 2020 and 2021, produced the same findings, and were so condemnatory that the farm was threatened with being shut down.
" This is the first case where, after four years, I am still unable to attest to the compliance of this farm", reported Loïc Gouyet of the Finistère DDPP in his witness statement at the hearing, referring in particular to "a problem of competence and supervision of employees". In court, Mr. Kerdoncuff denied any wrongdoing, claiming that he was 'passionate' about his business and accusing Eureden's vet, who had also alerted the authorities to the situation at this large farm, of excessive zeal and even of plotting against him 'with the authorities'.
