A Hull-based meat producer has launched an independent review into its animal welfare practices and livestock management after disturbing images emerged of alleged mistreatment at one of its farms.
Cranswick, which is the UK’s largest pork provider, halted operations at Northmoor Farm, near Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, after undercover footage surfaced last week, showing workers allegedly abusing pigs.
The images appear to show workers handling piglets by their back legs and forcefully smashing them onto the ground, employing a prohibited killing technique known as “piglet thumping”.
The footage, accumulated over a period of weeks in 2024 by an undercover Animal Justice Project investigator, also includes alleged extreme maltreatment, neglect of animals, routine mutilations, and “botched shootings”, along with excessively cramped conditions.
Major supermarkets such as Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, and Tesco have ceased sourcing from Northmoor Farm in response.
Cranswick has committed to not selling any pigs that were reared at the implicated farm.
Adam Couch, Cranswick’s chief executive, issued a statement asserting the company’s dedication to reviewing its welfare standards.
“We take seriously any instance, anywhere in our supply chain, where behaviour fails to meet those standards,” he said.
“We are therefore instigating a new, fully independent, expert veterinarian review of all our existing animal welfare policies, together with a comprehensive review of our livestock operations across the UK.
“We will provide a further update on this work in due course.”
(Image: Animal Justice Project / SWNS)
The announcement comes as Cranswick reports a significant increase in sales and profits over the past year.
The company revealed a 6.8 per cent increase in revenues to £2.72 billion for the year to March, compared to the previous year.
Cranswick attributed this growth to stronger volumes driven by positive demand for its luxury products and record Christmas trading.
In addition, the firm noted that fresh pork export revenues saw an uplift of more than 10 per cent, following the reinstatement of a contract with China.
Meanwhile, Cranswick also announced a significant 14.6 per cent rise in pre-tax profits, reaching £181.6 million for the year.
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