Cranswick has published in full its veterinarian-led animal welfare review online, which lists recommendations for the producer.
The review was completed by Dr Andy Butterworth, a veterinarian professional with more than 30 years’ experience and included a number of recommendations to raise the standards on Cranswick’s farms and help shape the British pig farming sector for the future.
The recommendations include the standardisation of farming practices and procedures across all Cranswick pig farms, increased use of surveillance systems to ensure good practice for pig welfare on farms, improvements in the culture and working practices on farms, increased focus on animal health and welfare outcomes and collaboration with the industry, Red Tractor and Cranswick customers to develop improved welfare standards for pigs.
Cranswick said its full internal process is underway to track the progress against each individual recommendation. This will be implemented by the farm management teams with accountability for the delivery of the plan to sit with the managing director for the Pig Farming business. The process will be validated by the Cranswick Internal Audit team and regular updates will be provided to the Cranswick Board to “ensure progress is made against the recommendations”.
The full list of recommendations has been consolidated into a six-point action plan, said Cranswick, with these practices requiring changes to the working practices across the existing farm businesses. It said the practices will require investment in time and facilities to ensure the plan is implemented effectively.
Recommendations include the introduction of standardised working practices, as well as five new welfare officer roles and a dedicated Welfare Hub, to be operational in Spring 2026.
It was also recommended that Cranswick invests more than £40 million over the next three years to modernise pig farming operations. The publication suggested Cranswick review its training, working practices and farm culture, while installing AI-enabled CCTV surveillance and including updated welfare procedures into Cranswick’s ESG programme with formal reports to the board.
The publication is now available to read here.
