An Auckland woman whose company slaughtered thousands of poultry in what a judge described as stomach-turning conditions has been fined more than $23,000.
Ling Zhang and her company Ling Ling Poultry pleaded guilty in Papakura District Court to four charges laid by the Food Safety Authority under the Animal Products Act.
Judge Eddie Paul told Zhang that to call the operation 'bad' was an understatement.
He said the barn used to slaughter the chickens had no electricity, running water, refrigeration or sanitation.
Zhang was fined $20,000 for selling chickens that had not been processed in line with the Animal Products Act and $3000 for not having a risk management plan.
The company was convicted and discharged as it is no longer trading.
The Food Safety Authority says Ling Ling Poultry put consumers directly at risk by ignoring regulations.
It says the company sold nearly 60,000 birds to Auckland restaurants between December 2006 and October 2007.
