Some workers to wear body cameras in barns after video showed alleged chicken abuse

Some workers with a B.C. company will now have to wear body cameras in barns after disturbing video was posted online that appears to show chickens being abused, according to Elite Services.

The Chilliwack-based company, which is responsible for catching chickens at farms in the Fraser Valley,saidat least one supervisor and two employees will wear safety vest-mounted cameras at all times in each barn.

"It is our hope that the senseless acts of violence that were perpetrated in the video will be a catalyst to implement new elevated levels of animal care, not just at Elite Services, but industry wide," said president Dwayne Dueckin a statement.

"It is our intent to share the experience of our new best practices with industry regulators, and adopt other best practices from cutting edge producers."

Recordings will be reviewed at the end of each day and held for 14 days.

The statement saidthe company has also updated orientation requirements and workplace procedures.

Elite Services also changed its story about the firings after the video, shot by the non-profit animal advocacy group Mercy for Animals, wasreleased Monday.

While the company initially reported five employees had been fired, it now says two of the five had already been fired before the video's release.

Anotherperson has also been fired "after a detailed forensic review of the video."

SPCAsays move a good start

Marcie Moriarty, the B.C.SPCA'schief prevention and enforcement officer, saidshe was "surprised and pleased" that that Elite Serviceswill now outfit some workers with cameras.

"I think it will go a long way towards regainingsome faith in how these chickens are handled," she said.

"I think it will be very important to see how they implement that policy,and who's reviewing those tapes and what their commitment is should they witness something inappropriate."

Moriartysaidshe's never heard of any other company implementing such a policy, although she said thatslaughterhouses in France are required to have securitycameras.

But Geoff Urton, an animal welfare specialistat the SPCA, said while cameras are good for accountability, it doesn't get to the real problem.

"Why are these people abusing these animals in the first place? ... There's a fundamental disrespect for animals," he said.

"These workers need to see that these are living things that are capable of suffering. And that's not always the case."