Hartshead Meats Under Fire: Latest Protests Follow FSA Welfare Investigation, Tameside 2026

Key Points

• Demonstrators gathered at Hartshead Meats abattoir in Tameside for the latest in a series of protests
• The Food Standards Agency (FSA) launched a full investigation into animal welfare breach allegations last month
• CCTV footage of all slaughter activity at Millstone Farm, Mossley was reviewed by the FSA
• Enforcement action was taken, resulting in bans on certain individuals from working with animals at the site
• Management has been fully cooperative with the investigation according to the FSA
• A BB gun was reportedly fired during a May 24 demonstration, prompting Greater Manchester Police investigation
• Hartshead Meats claims the YouTube footage lacks context and is selectively edited
• The company states it has maintained highest animal welfare standards during 20 years of uninterrupted operation
• Protests have occurred numerous times in recent weeks following the YouTube video’s publication

 Tameside(Manchester Mirror) June 06, 2026 – Demonstrators descended on a Tameside abattoir and meat plant for the latest in a series of protests. It came following the launch of an investigation into allegations of animal welfare breaches, as reported by Manchester Evening News journalists covering the Greater Manchester scene.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) announced last month it had ‘immediately initiated a full investigation’ into Hartshead Meats Ltd, based at Millstone Farm just outside Mossley, following the publication of a YouTube video. The undercover investigative footage, which gained widespread circulation on social media, allegedly depicts disturbing scenes from inside the kosher slaughterhouse.

CCTV footage of ‘all slaughter activity’ at the site has been reviewed and ‘enforcement action’ taken, the FSA added. The agency confirmed the action led to certain people being banned from working with animals at the site, at which protests have been held since video footage emerged. Management have been ‘fully co-operative’ with the investigation, the agency said.

Protesters have gathered at the site numerous times in recent weeks, with live coverage provided during demonstrations on May 3rd showing peaceful gatherings outside the abattoir. Supporters have gathered to raise awareness and make their voices heard, with protest times typically scheduled between 12PM and 2PM according to live stream announcements.

Why Did the Food Standards Agency Launch an Investigation?

As reported by the Manchester Evening News investigative team, the FSA ‘immediately initiated a full investigation’ into Hartshead Meats Ltd following the publication of a YouTube video showing alleged animal welfare breaches. The video, titled ‘SECRET KOSHER SLAUGHTERHOUSE EXE EXPOSED IN ENGLAND | SICKENING INVESTIGATION’, was published on April 26, 2026, and contains uncensored investigative footage .

The YouTube video has been viewed widely across multiple platforms, with additional protest documentation videos uploaded showing people from all over the UK gathering outside to show their disgust at what is happening at the facility. The investigative footage contains graphic content warning, as noted in multiple protest documentation videos.

Joey Carbstrong’s investigative team donated and supported the work through donorbox.org, with the uncensored footage made available to raise awareness about alleged animal treatment issues. The investigation represents a significant regulatory response to viral animal welfare allegations.

What Enforcement Action Did the FSA Take?

The Food Standards Agency confirmed that CCTV footage of ‘all slaughter activity’ at the site has been reviewed and ‘enforcement action’ taken. According to the FSA’s official statement, the enforcement action led to certain people being banned from working with animals at the site.

The agency stated that management have been ‘fully co-operative’ with the investigation throughout the process. This cooperative approach contrasts with the confrontational nature of the external protests that have occurred since the video emerged.

The enforcement action represents a concrete regulatory response, moving beyond mere investigation to actual consequences for individuals involved in the alleged welfare breaches.

How Have Protesters Responded to the Investigation?

Protesters have gathered at the site numerous times in recent weeks, demonstrating sustained public interest in the case. Last month, bosses issued a statement condemning ‘appalling indiscriminate violence’ after a BB gun was reportedly fired during one demonstration.

Greater Manchester Police launched an investigation following the incident on May 24, marking an escalation in tensions surrounding the protests. The BB gun incident represents a concerning development in what had previously been described as peaceful protest activity.

Live streams from the May 3rd protest showed peaceful gatherings with supporters explicitly noting the peaceful nature of the demonstrations. The protest hashtag #PeacefulProtest was prominently used in live stream announcements, though the BB gun incident suggests tensions may have escalated since then.

What Does Hartshead Meats Say About the Allegations?

The company said the YouTube footage ‘lacks essential context and presents a distorted picture of standard industry working practices’, as reported by Manchester Evening News. A spokesperson previously said it was ‘recorded without consent’ and ‘selectively edited’, adding that it ‘grossly misrepresents what [they] do and how [they] do it’.

The firm said it is ‘committed to maintaining the highest possible standards of animal welfare at every stage’ across 20 years of ‘uninterrupted operation’. This defense emphasizes the company’s lengthy operational history and claims of consistent welfare standards.

As reported by the Manchester Mill, the owner insists the videos have been selectively edited, challenging the narrative presented by the investigative footage. This selective editing claim is central to the company’s defense strategy.

Background: Development of the Hartshead Meats Investigation

The investigation into Hartshead Meats Ltd represents a significant development in UK animal welfare enforcement. The Food Standards Agency, the public sector food body responsible for ensuring independent, consistent, and evidence-based information on food safety and standards, initiated the investigation following viral social media content.

Hartshead Meats Ltd operates at Millstone Farm, Broadcarr Ln, Ashton-under-Lyne, near Mossley in Greater Manchester. The facility has been in uninterrupted operation for 20 years, according to company statements. The plant specializes in kosher slaughter, which has been the subject of the undercover investigation.

The investigative video was published on April 26, 2026, by Joey Carbstrong’s team, who documented the uncensored footage and made it widely available across social media platforms including Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Twitter. The video gained significant traction, leading to multiple protest gatherings starting in early May 2026.

The timeline shows rapid escalation: video publication on April 26, first documented protests on May 3, BB gun incident on May 24, and FSA investigation announcement the following month. This accelerated timeline demonstrates the power of viral social media content to trigger regulatory action.

Prediction: How This Development Can Affect Local Community and Animal Rights Activists

This development will likely have significant impacts on multiple stakeholder groups in Greater Manchester and beyond. For the local community in Mossley and Ashton-under-Lyne, the ongoing protests and investigation may create continued tension and disruption around Millstone Farm. Residents may experience increased traffic, noise, and security presence as protests continue and the investigation progresses.

For animal rights activists and the vegan community, this development represents a potential victory in their campaign against alleged animal cruelty. The FSA’s enforcement action and bans on individuals working with animals validate concerns raised by activists who organized the protests. This may energize the activist community to pursue similar investigations at other facilities, potentially leading to increased scrutiny of meat processing plants across the UK.

The meat processing industry may face increased regulatory scrutiny as a result. The industry-wide implications could include stricter monitoring of slaughter practices, particularly for kosher facilities, and potentially more frequent undercover investigations by activist groups. Companies may need to invest more heavily in transparency measures and documentation to defend against future allegations.

For Hartshead Meats specifically, the long-term impact depends on the investigation’s final conclusions. If the company’s claims of selective editing are proven correct, they may recover their reputation. However, if enforcement actions expand or additional violations are discovered, the facility could face closure or significant operational restrictions, potentially affecting local employment and meat supply chains.

The BB gun incident and subsequent police investigation suggest escalating tensions that could lead to more stringent security measures or even restrictions on protest activities near the facility. This could impact both the company’s operations and activists’ ability to demonstrate, potentially leading to legal challenges regarding protest rights versus business security.

Consumers concerned about animal welfare may increasingly seek verification of slaughter practices when purchasing meat products, potentially shifting demand toward certified humane or plant-based alternatives. This consumer behavior change could have broader implications for the meat industry’s marketing and certification practices.

The case may also influence future legislation regarding animal welfare monitoring in slaughterhouses, potentially leading to mandatory CCTV requirements or independent monitoring provisions in UK food safety regulations.