A Nelson meat processor accused of mistreating sheep is defending the way it looks after the animals.
A retired vet of 25 years, Peter Blasdale, said he had complained to the Ministry for Primary Industries after sheep at the Alliance Group's meatworks were left panting in the hot sun with no shade.
The Alliance Group's Nelson plant. Photo: Alliance Group
He said workers then put up screens to stop people seeing in.
However, Alliance Group general manager for processing Kerry Stevens told Checkpoint with John Campbell the company followed the rules.
"We follow all those regulations. We have the systems, the procedures, the controls, the trained people and, as well as that, we have MPI oversight at all times that animals are there."
Mr Stevens said most of the sheep were kept inside and were generally not outside for more than four hours.
Listen to Kerry Stevens