Animal, farm groups say NC law halts probes

An animal welfare group says it found abuses at a Kinston poultry plant in the months preceding a new law that now deters the exposure of farm and other workplace conditions.  People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals contends the abuses occurred at the Sanderson Farms poultry plant. The organization says it planted an employee there during the three months last year leading up to the law going into effect on Jan. 1.  The company says it investigated after learning of the allegations from PETA in February, but found no evidence that any abuses had occurred.