A SLAUGHTERHOUSE is at the centre of a major cruelty probe after an undercover operation by animal rights campaigners.

Secret footage shot by Animal Aid is alleged to show sheep having their throats repeatedly hacked, at the Malik Food Group in Dunnockshaw.

The film also shows sheep being manhandled by slaughtermen at the halal abattoir off Burnley Road, it is claimed.

An investigation has now been launched by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) based on the charity's covert filming in March.

Slaughterman certificates have been revoked and the FSA has not ruled out criminal proceedings following its inquiry, after reviewing 70 hours of footage.

Campaigners have now called on the government to install independently-monitored CCTV at all such slaughterhouses in the UK, to prevent more potential abuses.

Luke Steele, Animal Aid's farming and slaughter campaigns manager, said the worst abuses included sheep having their throats sliced repeatedly, allegedly due to knives not being sharp enough, and animals being thrown across conveyors.

Sheep could be seen 'flailing and fitting' as a result of the failed attempted to slit their throats, he claimed, and one slaughterman could be heard warning colleagues of an approaching vet.

Mr Steele added: "Animal Aid’s latest investigation inside a Lancashire slaughterhouse has uncovered barbaric and deliberate cruelty being inflicted on animals, in horrific scenes unlike any we have ever seen before.

"There is no doubt that lawbreaking continues to be an inherent problem in abattoirs."

A spokesman for the FSA said: "We received notice from Animal Aid that it had undercover CCTV footage taken in a FSA-approved slaughterhouse which it alleged show animal welfare breaches.

"Almost 70 hours of footage was received and has been reviewed by our veterinary and legal investigators.

"Animal welfare is a high priority for the FSA and we take all alleged breaches extremely seriously.

"Based on our findings we have taken immediate enforcement action against both the business operator and individual plant staff, including the issue of welfare enforcement notices and revocation of slaughterman certificates of competence.

"Our investigations into this establishment continue but to say more at this stage could be prejudicial to any future potential criminal proceedings."

A Malik Food Group said: "The matters raised by Animal Aid are the subject of review being undertaken by us and the FSA.

"Malik Group will work closely with the FSA to ensure that any findings or recommendations made by the FSA are addressed and where required, implemented immediately.

"Malik Group has always worked closely with FSA and welcomes the review from the regulatory body.

"We are built on the principles that the welfare of the animal is paramount. The group has invested extensively in training and machinery to improve the welfare of animals under its care and control."

The Malik Food Group was established in July 2016 and its listed directors include Elland-based Junaid Imtiaz, 35, and Stephen Riley, 36, of Dunnockshaw Farm.

It is said to be the 'UK's leading processor of premium halal mutton, lamb and beef', dealing with 15,000 lambs per week.