Undercover footage at a Cranswick pig farm has been released to the public, resulting in UK supermarkets suspending their supplies from the farm.
The covert footage appeared to show workers engaging in “piglet thumping”, an illegal method of killing.
According to Animal Justice Project, an organisation that advocates ending the use of animals in agriculture, one of its undercover investigators captured the footage over several weeks in 2024. It was reportedly filmed inside a farm operated by Elsham Linc Ltd, a large-scale indoor pig farming business owned by Cranswick plc – a supplier to Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, and other UK retailers.
The Animal Justice Project organisation has claimed that the retailers had now suspended their supplies from the farm.
Unverified footage released by the organisation appears to show illegal killings, animal neglect and “botched shootings”, as well as poor living conditions.
Barrister Ayesha Smart has filed a formal complaint to Trading Standards, citing multiple breaches of the Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing (England) Regulations 2015 (WATOK) and consumer law.
Smart commented: “The use of blunt force trauma to kill piglets is banned – yet it appears to be used routinely and without restraint. This isn’t just shocking, it’s unlawful.”
“This is unacceptable… and has no place in modern farming.”
Dr Alick Simmons
Dr Alick Simmons, former UK Government deputy chief veterinary officer and former veterinary director at the Food Standards Agency (FSA), who watched the footage, commented: “That such practices are taking place on a large, commercial farm highlights a serious failure in training, management and oversight.
“This is unacceptable, particularly when a humane and legally acceptable alternative exists. It causes significant suffering and has no place in modern farming.”
Lizzie Wilson, CEO of the National Pig Association, said: “The welfare of animals at all stages of life including point of death, is of utmost importance throughout the supply chain. The behaviour depicted in the footage is unacceptable and not aligned with the standards expected. NPA is aware that the individuals involved have been suspended with immediate effect and we await the outcome of the subsequent investigations conducted by the various stakeholders.”
Cranswick suspends workers
A Cranswick spokesperson stated: “The welfare of the animals we rear is of the utmost importance and we are extremely disappointed to see the unacceptable lapse of welfare standards captured at Northmoor Farm.
“As soon as we saw the footage, we immediately suspended the team working at the farm and we are conducting an urgent and thorough investigation. We have also suspended the farm from supplying any pigs until the investigation is completed.”
A spokesperson from Sainsbury’s, which recently agreed a new 10-year partnership with Cranswick, whereby Sainsbury’s British pork, sausages, premium bacon, gammon and cooked meats will be supplied through the UK producer, said: “These allegations involve unacceptable treatment of animals, which has no place in our supply chain. We are urgently investigating this with Cranswick and in the meantime, all supply from this farm has been suspended.”
