Cranswick has said it was “horrified to see the unacceptable treatment of pigs” in footage published over the weekend from its Somerby Top farm in Lincolnshire.
The meat supplier said the footage was “historically recorded” and it has since taken action to ensure high welfare standards are enforced.
The Animal Justice Project published footage this weekend filmed between May 2024 and January 2025 which showed cannibalism, violent treatment and improper killing among other negligent welfare actions.
It follows earlier footage published in May from Northmoor Farm where piglets were filmed being slammed onto concrete.
Cranswick has emphasised that the latest video in this case was from January 2025 and it has since brought about significant changes.
“Since the Northmoor Farm footage was brought to our attention in May, also over 15 months old when shared, we have installed CCTV at all of our indoor pig farms, recruited five new welfare officers, retrained all of our farm colleagues and commissioned an independent veterinarian-led review across all of our farms,” said Cranswick in a statement. “The staff involved are no longer with the business.”
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The Somerby Farm footage showed cannibalism and prolonged suffering of pigs including one piglet attacked for over 33 hours and another for 46 hours, both dying without intervention.
“This is the worst cannibalism we have ever documented,” said Claire Palmer, director of Animal Justice Project. “Pigs were literally eaten alive, suffering ruptures, infections, and horrific injuries – the result of boredom, overcrowding, and despair. Cranswick created these conditions.”
Pigs were violently handled at the site being beaten, kicked, dragged and struck repeatedly with boards, paddles, and hands. It also showed unfit pigs being transported, improper killing, negligent welfare checks, lighting violations and audit concerns.
“The public should be appalled, and it’s time for an independent, public inquiry into the UK pig industry,” Palmer added.
Red Tractor has suspended the farm with immediate effect and has said it is reviewing the footage.
AJP has said it is pursuing private prosecution of Cranswick for both Norhmoor Farm and Somerby Top.
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