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From The Times
February 9, 2007

Future looks bleak for the turkey tycoon

Michael Horsnell and Elizabeth Judge

Bernard Matthews, 77, had the look of a broken man when The Times spoke to him at his home in Norfolk as his workers completed their cull of 159,000 turkeys.

But the tycoon may still not have grasped the magnitude of the trouble that his international operations, valued at £400 million, were in as Defra officials investigated the cause of the outbreak of bird flu.

Last night, the Government announced news that will have come as another crushing blow. Along with a number of other theories, Defra, the Food Standards Agency and the Health Protection Agency are investigating the possibility of a link between Hungarian outbreaks and the contamination in Holton.

Matthews has been left with no alternative but to suspend the movement of poultry products between Hungary and Britain until the investigation is complete. But perhaps more seriously, he now faces the apprehension of consumers as they turn to other products.

Foremost among his competitors in an industry that is worth around £3.4 billion to the economy every year, and most likely to take over his crown, is Cranberry Foods. With annual sales of £85 million, the Derbyshire-based company is tiny compared to its Norfolk rival. But it entices consumers with the boast “traceability to the egg guaranteed”.

Matthews famously bought Great Witchingham Hall for a song in the 1950s and turned it into a magnificent headquarters for his company. It seems unlikely that the image of the Bernard Matthews brand can be similarly restored.

These birds are kept in disgusting dark fetid conditions . Litter on the floor remains unchained throughout the 12-20 rearing weeks forcing the birds to live in their own excrement thus causing ulcerated feet from ammonia-ridden droppings that build up on the floor . countless birds die and many have to be pumped full of antibiotics to keep them alive in this unhealthy environment . Is it any wonder that these factory farms are a hotbed of disease .

Jean Bennington, Prestatyn, Britain

usual load of townies panicing and being paniced by the press and polititcians who probably find it a good diversion form the governments problems in cash for peerages and also Iraq

James Paterson, Southampton,

It is hard for matthews at this point but I'm sure he'll recover.

John, Eccleshall, Lancashire

Bernard Matthews has been foisting low-grade, poor quality food onto consumers for years. Frankly, he lends new meaning to the term 'booty-full'. Alas, while he may look 'a broken man', he remains well-padded. Not so the 1000 employees who may now suffer because of his apparent recklessness with public safety

David Thomas, Liverpool,

The Times seems inordinately gleeful about Mr Matthews' predicament; is this another case of the hated English penchant for enjoying a success story turning sour? What would the attitude be if Cranberry Foods is found wanting too…?
Mind you, we could always blame Hungary…

Oliver Frey, Ludlow, Shropshire

What on earth is 'ofof'

a.wainwright, dublin,

If Matthews has been importing Birds into yhis Country from inside an exclusion zone,he should be prosecuted with the full rigour ofof the law.

Michael Rigby, Chorley Lancashire, England

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