Major Supermarkets Halt Supplies Over Animal Welfare Violations

Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, and Morrisons have ceased sourcing pigs from certain Lincolnshire farms following reports of animal abuse.

Covertly filmed materials reveal a farm worker at North Moor Farm violently handling a pig, reportedly slamming it down onto a hard surface.

Additional distressing footage, from a Cranswick-owned farm—one of the UK’s prominent pork suppliers—shows a sow being kicked and beaten against metal bars. These revelations were shared via email on Sunday.

A worker, who allegedly struggled to euthanize a sow with a bolt gun, expressed to the undercover investigator that he was unprepared for the task.

Over the past year, undercover agents from the Animal Justice Project (AJP) captured weeks of footage depicting around 6,000 pigs confined in cramped cages.

The AJP has formally notified trading standards about numerous breaches of animal welfare regulations during execution procedures.

Claire Palmer, founder of the AJP, stated that their mission is to reveal “the harsh truths of pig farming in the UK.” She highlighted the need for immediate legal action and an independent investigation into farming practices.

Piglets are routinely culled if they are deemed weak or not growing adequately, but there are strict guidelines governing how this is carried out.

In 2022, the UK Animal Welfare Commission and the EU Animal Welfare Reference Centre prohibited the use of blunt trauma for piglets under 10kg, deeming it inhumane and unnecessary given better options.

In response to the allegations, Cranswick announced that their entire farm staff is currently suspended while an investigation unfolds.

A spokesperson for Cranswick stated, “Upon learning of the footage, we immediately halted operations at the farm and initiated a thorough investigation.” They emphasized that the farm will not supply pigs until the inquiry is complete.

All four supermarkets confirmed they had suspended supplies from the implicated farm during the investigation. A Tesco representative remarked, “We take all reports of poor animal welfare very seriously and expect our suppliers to adhere to high welfare standards.”

Sainsbury’s issued a statement denouncing the alleged mistreatment, insisting it has no place in their supply chain. Morrisons echoed this sentiment, describing the allegations as shocking and highlighting their commitment to animal welfare. Meanwhile, an Asda spokesperson affirmed their stringent animal welfare policies and welcomed Cranswick’s prompt response to the situation.