St Werburgh turkey raffle axed amid vegan outcry

The nine turkeys were to be slaughtered and raffled

A farm has cancelled its annual turkey auction after coming under fire from vegan campaigners.

Nine turkeys on St Werburgh's City Farm in Bristol were to be auctioned off to raise money for disadvantaged people in the area.

Campaigners say it does not seem "in line that they slaughter the animals people go and visit".

The farm said it offers the animals the highest standards of welfare and is proud to keep them for farming.

'Quite shocking'

A statement said: "We are aware that raising animals for meat is an emotive issue, and having listened to the views of a small section of our community, we have decided not to hold our annual turkey auction.

"However, the aims and objectives of the farm will remain unchanged and our turkeys will still be sold for Christmas."

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Members of the public can visit the animals at St Werburgh's, which is also a charity that provides community services for more than 3,000 disadvantaged people in the area.

Lauren Hunt, from the Bristol Vegan Action Group, said: "When I first went I thought it was a sanctuary for animals. So I don't understand how a charity could have so much death involved with it.

"Christmas time is the season of giving, compassion and instead we are going to celebrate by taking the lives of nine turkeys."

When the Coppershell Farm Sanctuary in Wiltshire heard about the auction they offered to take all nine of the birds in.

Spokesman Genna A'Court said: "I do understand turkeys are eaten. It's not something I agree with but the way that this is being presented as a prize that you can win is quite shocking.

"It's really really upset me."