Further evidence of animal welfare abuses at a Cranswick-owned farm has been revealed.
New footage from the Animal Justice Project has shown piglets being violently killed through blunt force trauma at a Cranswick-owned farm in Lincolnshire, certified by Red Tractor.
The filming at Mere Farm in Barton-upon-Humber shows further incidents of so-called piglet ‘thumping’ carried out just one day and then two days after Cranswick announced it had banned thumping across all its farms on 28 July.
The footage also showed dirty, overcrowded sheds, repeated illegal killings and extended suffering.
Additionally, it revealed neglect of vulnerable animals, a trapped sow being violently abused, aggressive comments from workers, minimal welfare checks and legislative breaches.
“Pigs at Mere Farm are treated disgustingly; they are handled callously and welfare issues ignored,” said veterinarian Dr Alice Brough. “The banned practice of blunt force trauma is executed poorly, leaving babies suffering with head injuries. Many piglets are seen with untreated, painful injuries and infections.
“The low welfare standards, poor conditions, and careless staff at Cranswick, shown repeatedly across multiple units, are no exception in the pig industry,” she added.
The campaign group has called on Angela Eagle, Defra secretary, to remove Cranswick’s non-executive chairman, Tim Smith, from his positions on the Food Strategy Advisory Board and as co-chair of the Food & Drink Sector Council.
“We are deeply disappointed and frustrated by the covert footage captured on one of our farms,” said a Cranswick spokesperson. ”The behaviour depicted is wholly unacceptable and clearly breaches the values, standards and animal welfare practices that we uphold across our business.
“We are continuously working on improving our on-farm standards and culture, whilst investing in cutting edge surveillance technology. This programme is ongoing and subject to continuous review and improvement.”
This is the latest in a series of video evidence released by the campaign group from inside Cranswick farms across the country that revealed poor welfare conditions including ones at Northmoor Farm and Somerby Top Farm earlier this year.
“Pig farming is a broken system that cannot be patched up – it must end,” said Ayrton Cooper, campaigns director at Animal Justice Project. “The public deserves a food system built on compassion, honesty and transparency, one that is entirely plant-based.”
Cranswick said that much of the material “appears to pre-date the significant reforms we have been implementing” pointing to its increased surveillance technology and retraining for employees.
“Despite these efforts, it is clear that a small number of individuals have failed to follow our strict animal welfare protocols, even after retraining,” said a spokesperson”. “This constitutes a serious breach of our standards.”
The individuals involved have been dismissed and the business has said it will ”cooperate fully with the relevant authorities to support further investigations”.
Supermarkets have also suspended the farm from their supply chains.
Red Tractor has been approached for comment.
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