High Court Confirms Final Interdict Against Daybreak Foods for Animal Cruelty

In a landmark judgment delivered on May 23, 2025, the Gauteng South Division of the High Court in Johannesburg ruled in favor of the National Council of Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) against Daybreak Foods Pty Ltd, confirming a final interdict that mandates significant changes in the company’s poultry management practices.

The case centered on urgent issues that surfaced earlier in May when it was discovered that Daybreak Foods had been neglecting the welfare of its chickens, engaging in inhumane culling practices, and failing to provide adequate food due to financial mismanagement. This negligence prompted the NSPCA to seek immediate court intervention to prevent further animal suffering.

Judge FMM Reid pointed out that both the NSPCA and Daybreak Foods had submitted comprehensive arguments, but the evidence brought forward by NSPCA – including distressing photographic and video evidence of the poultry’s condition – was overwhelming. This evidence highlighted severe animal mistreatment and a stark violation of the Animal Protection Act 71 of 1962, under which the NSPCA operates.

In her ruling, Judge Reid confirmed the rule nisi issued on May 8, 2025, with specific conditions for Daybreak Foods, including the immediate cessation of inhumane culling methods, assurance of adequate and appropriate food for all birds, and an absolute halt on placing Day-Old Chicks at any of its facilities until conditions improve markedly.

Moreover, the ruling provided the NSPCA with authority to conduct regular inspections of Daybreak Farms to ensure compliance with the order. If Daybreak Foods fails to meet the outlined standards, the initial interdicts may be reinstated.

The court also addressed the broader implications of such neglect, citing potential risks to human health given the lack of hygienic protocols observed in handling and maintaining the poultry. This aspect underlines the intersection of animal welfare and public health, emphasizing the importance of maintaining stringent standards in food production and animal care industries.

Daybreak Foods, in response to the financial aid facilitated by the second respondent, the Public Investment Corporation, which amounted to R74 million, assured that necessary measures were being put in place to rectify the issues. The company is now under strict judicial oversight to ensure the welfare of the animals and the compliance with both the court’s orders and national animal protection laws.

This judgment not only enforces stringent animal welfare standards but also showcases the legal system’s role in protecting animal rights within the agricultural sector in South Africa. It serves as a stern reminder to all animal husbandry businesses of their legal and ethical responsibilities.