German poultry processor under suspicion of subsidy fraud

The German State prosecution has searched the poultry slaughterhouse of Wiesenhof in Germany on suspicion of subsidy fraud.

Because of suspected fraud with subsidies at poultry processor Wiesenhof in Möckern (Saxony-Anhalt) the public prosecutor has searched offices and other relevant places although has so far refused to confirm the name of the company in question.

A company spokeswoman said in reply to a newspaper item that the subject of the proceedings are against Wiesenhof Möckern.

On Tuesday, offices at an agricultural operation in Visbek near Vechta, an operation in Möckern and authorities in Saxony-Anhalt have been searched. Wiesenhof’s headquarters are located in Visbek.

Investigations into the case were already known in early March. According to media reports, the allegations against Wiesenhof suggest it wrongly collected export subsidies for years.

During the investigating authorities have so far not announced any details. Wiesenhof so far has rejected the allegations.

In recent months there had been repeated headlines about the Wiesenhof-operation in Möckern. Authorities had shut down the operation temporarily in late February. The exact reasons were not revealed.

That sparked a debate about possible hygiene deficiencies. Wiesenhof had to put 800,000 chickens on ice. An appeal by the company was unsuccessful: the State Administration Office in early April decided that the birds were not allowed to be sold as food but only as an animal feed.