Following the completion of an independent, veterinarian-led review of producer Cranswick’s pig farming operations, the Cranswick Board has committed to a six-point plan to raise animal welfare standards across the business’s pig farming operations.
In response to film footage highlighting “unacceptable practices” at North Moor Farm, the board commissioned Dr Andy Butterworth, an independent vet with three decades of experience, to conduct a review and assess compliance with legal, industry and retailer animal welfare standards, while also identifying areas for improvement, with a particular focus on the working culture across Cranswick farms.
The review, which involved unannounced visits to 20 separate pig farms during June, July and August 2025, found that the Cranswick farms visited were compliant with legislation and animal welfare standards, and found no evidence of poor handling and treatment of pigs on farm. Cranswick concluded that the actions seen in the investigative films were not representative of Cranswick’s normal standards and practices.
The review also set out a list of recommendations for raising standards within Cranswick and across the wider industry. 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.
- Collaboration with the industry, Red Tractor and Cranswick customers to develop improved welfare standards for pigs.
Responding to the report, the Cranswick Board accepted the findings in full and committed to a new six-point plan to raise animal welfare standards across all Cranswick-run pig farms. Details of the plan will be confirmed by the end of December 2025.
The six-point plan includes:
- A full review of Cranswick training, working practices and farm culture.
- The introduction of standardised working practices and procedures across all Cranswick farms.
- The continued installation of advanced AI-enabled CCTV surveillance technology to review and implement good practice.
- The introduction of five new welfare officer roles, which will be based in a dedicated Cranswick Welfare Hub.
- The incorporation of the updated welfare procedures into Cranswick’s ESG programme, including formal progress reviews with the Board.
- Investing over £40 million across the next three years to improve and modernise the Cranswick pig farming operations.
“We should go further than simply complying with the law and meeting our own standards. We should be looking to lead the industry and raise standards wherever possible.”
Cranswick
A spokesperson for Cranswick said: “The health and welfare of the pigs we rear is, and always will be, our priority. As soon as this footage was shared with us in May, the board acted swiftly to understand what had happened and take steps to stop these appalling practices from happening again.
“Many of the changes we have made predate this report – including removing anyone from the business who was found to have broken Cranswick standards and introducing a total ban of non-mechanical blunt force trauma at all Cranswick farms.
“But what this report shows is there is more we can do. As the UK’s leading pork producer, we should go further than simply complying with the law and meeting our own standards. We should be looking to lead the industry and raise standards wherever possible.
“That is why the board has developed this six-point plan to raise standards across our operations and share our experiences with the wider industry. The board would like to thank Dr Butterworth for the work he has done and the comprehensive investigation he has undertaken. We will provide a further update in due course on our progress against the six-point plan.”
Dr Andy Butterworth stated: “I was commissioned by Cranswick to look at pig operations across all their systems. I found that the behaviours seen in the videos were not exhibited during the farm visits. However there is much that can be done to improve welfare standards across Cranswick operations, and across the pig farming industry, as set out in my report and in the 44 recommendations I have produced.
“I recognise Cranswick’s acceptance of the findings, and their commitment to work towards adopting the recommendations.”
