Aussie Farmers Direct has stopped buying Lilydale Free Range chicken immediately, following the allegations regarding Baiada Poultry's work practices.

Aussie Farmers Direct contacted Baiada, but said the response doesn’t satisfactorily address the key allegations.

In the ABC Four Corners program that aired on Monday (6 May), it was alleged that the exploitation of workers on 417 working holiday visas is widespread.

The program claimed workers are working long hours, being subjected to verbal abuse, experiencing sexual harassment, and being underpaid.

In a statement provided to the ABC, Baiada said allegations foreign workers are enduring slave-like conditions were inconsistent with prior checks and audits on their contract labour providers.

Baiada has been supplying Aussie Farmers Direct with Lilydale Free Range chicken in Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia.

In a statement, Aussie Farmers Direct said “we are working hard to find alternative suppliers of the affected product lines for our Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia customers. This decision does not affect customers in New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory and Victoria.

“Aussie Farmers Direct is committed to fair pricing; promoting ethical practices and a sustainable supply chain, as expressed in our Fair Food Charter.”