Secret cameraman claims 'brutality' at pig farm
An investigator who posed as a labourer to secretly film on a pig farm has described what he witnessed as shocking and brutal.
The footage recorded for the Animal Justice Project (AJP) over "several weeks" at Northmoor Farm, Lincolnshire, appears to show "piglet thumping", a banned method of killing animals.
Cranswick, which owns the farm near Market Rasen, said the footage was unacceptable and it had launched an independent review into its procedures.
Lincolnshire Trading Standards told the BBC it was continuing to work with Lincolnshire Police following the allegations of cruelty.
Speaking to the BBC's Politics North programme, the animal rights investigator said he applied for the job through a normal recruitment process.
While filming covertly for AJP, he said he witnessed "brutality at every single part of that process".
He claimed he saw regular "piglet thumping", a banned method of killing that involves holding a piglet by its hind legs and slamming it to the ground.
He also claimed workers were "desensitised" to the "sickening sound" of the piglets hitting the floor.
The investigator told the BBC he did not try to stop the actions of other workers.
A section of the footage, first reported by the Mail on Sunday newspaper, shows a container piled with piglets that have allegedly been slammed. Some are still alive.
The man said fellow workers failed to check if the piglets were dead, which "makes it worse".
He said that although such actions were difficult to watch, what he witnessed had "strengthened" his resolve "to help animals".
A spokesperson for Cranswick, which is based in East Yorkshire, said: "We were incredibly disappointed and saddened to see the unacceptable footage from Northmoor Farm.
"As soon as we saw that footage we acted immediately. We suspended all of our employees and instigated a full investigation."
They added the behaviour did not reflect current procedures or training.
Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury's and Tesco all suspended use of the farm.
AJP has lodged a legal complaint with trading standards, citing multiple breaches of the Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing regulations.
Under the legislation, using blunt trauma to kill pigs is illegal in England.
Lincolnshire Trading Standards said it was taking the incident "extremely seriously".
A spokesperson said it had inspected the premises and was continuing to review footage, including some not currently in the public domain.
A spokesperson for Red Tractor, the certified standards scheme, said: "The disregard for the care of animals shown in the footage does a disservice to an industry which works hard to uphold animal welfare requirements.
"Red Tractor always acts immediately on reports of poor animal welfare and does not hesitate to sanction members where there is evidence of non-compliance with our standards."
Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
Review launched after pig farm abuse claims
Pig farm operations suspended over abuse claims
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
29 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Live Facial Recognition vans to be deployed in Southend tomorrow
FACIAL recognition vans will operating in Southend tomorrow as part of Essex Police's efforts to keep the city safe. Southend has seen high visitor numbers today as sun-seekers from across south Essex packed the beach. Live Facial Recognition is a tool used by police forces to identify wanted individuals among the public - it does not store the information of pedestrians who are not already on police databases. We're now on WhatsApp! Join our new channel at to get all the latest breaking news and exclusive stories delivered straight to your phone. A spokesperson for Essex Police said: "Our Live Facial Recognition vans will be in Southend tomorrow, Sunday June 22, as part of our policing plan to keep the city safe. "If you've got questions about how the technology works, please speak to our officers and they'll be happy to explain." Busy - Sun-seekers have flocked to Southend in recent days (Image: Lucy North) Southend seafront has seen large visitor numbers throughout the day as residents seek to make the most of this weekend's mini-heatwave. Live Facial Recognition has been deployed in Southend on numerous occasions in the past, with vans parked on both the seafront and High Street. You can find out more information about Essex Police's use of Live Facial Recognition at
Yahoo
39 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Leeds business burglary triggers police appeal for two men
Police are searching for a pair of men after a business was burgled in Leeds. The burglary occurred in Armley on May 14. West Yorkshire Police have issued images of two men they would like to speak to in coonection with the offense. A force spokesperson said: "Police investigating a burglary in Leeds have issued images of two males they would like to identify. They are wanted in connection with a business burglary in Armley on May 14. READ MORE: Mike's Carpets: Beloved Leeds carpet trader known for 1980s television adverts dies READ MORE: School head and class teachers quit after Leeds council closure U-turn "Officers would also like to speak with them regarding making off without payment offences. If you can assist in identifying either of these males, then please contact police in Leeds on 101, or by using the livechat facility on the West Yorkshire Police website." The crime reference is 13250269497. Information can also be reported anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or online. Get all the latest and breaking news in Leeds by signing up to our newsletter here.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Ministers ‘abusing' anti-terror laws against Palestine activists
Former Scottish first minister Humza Yousaf has said the Government is 'abusing' anti-terror laws against pro-Palestine activists as tens of thousands of protesters marched in London. A protest organised by groups under the Palestine Coalition banner marched to Whitehall from Russell Square in central London on Saturday afternoon. Organisers estimated that 350,000 people attended the protest, with those marching waving Palestinian flags and chanting 'free, free Palestine' and 'stop bombing Iran'. Many protesters chanted 'shame on you' as they walked past dozens of counter-protesters, organised by pro-Israeli group Stop The Hate, near Waterloo Bridge. The Metropolitan Police said a person was arrested after a bottle was thrown towards the counter-protesters. They added that 'a group appeared on Waterloo Bridge trying to block traffic' following the protest, with officers intervening to clear the road. The demonstrations come after reports on Friday that the Home Secretary will ban Palestine Action after the group vandalised two aircraft at RAF Brize Norton. Yvette Cooper has decided to proscribe the group, making it a criminal offence to belong to or support Palestine Action, after footage posted online showed two people inside the RAF base, with one appearing to spray paint into an aircraft's jet engine. Addressing crowds at the national march for Palestine in Whitehall, former SNP leader Mr Yousaf said: 'While we stand a stone's throw from Downing Street, let's make it clear to the Prime Minister: You try to intimidate us with your anti-terror laws by abusing them, but you'll never silence us as we speak out against the genocide that you're supporting. 'We're not the terrorists – the ones that are literally killing children, they are the terrorists.' A pro-Palestine protester said it was 'absolutely horrendous' that the Government is preparing to ban Palestine Action. Artist Hannah Woodhouse, 61, told the PA news agency: 'The Government, since yesterday, have said they're also going to start to try to proscribe peace activists who are trying to take action against the genocide – so Palestine Action are now being targeted by our Government, which is absolutely horrendous.' Ms Woodhouse, who is from London, added: 'Counter-terrorism measures, it seems, are being used against non-violent peace protesters. 'The peace activists are trying to do the Government's job, which is to disarm Israel. The duty of any government right now is to disarm a genocidal state.' Musician Paloma Faith told pro-Palestine campaigners that she would not 'stick to music and stay away from politics'. Speaking to crowds at the march, the songwriter, 43, added: 'Those who facilitate these crimes against humanity need to be made accountable, not those of us who are compassionate and humane enough to stand against it.' Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn told protesters that politicians were seeking to 'turn people who protest against the invasion of Iran or the occupation of Palestine into terrorists'. Some protesters were carrying Iran flags, with others hoisting signs – distributed by the Islamic Human Rights Commission – that read 'choose the right side of history' alongside a photo of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Human rights group Liberty said banning Palestine Action 'would be a huge step change in how counter-terror laws are applied'. Sam Grant, its external affairs director, said in a statement: 'Targeting a protest group with terrorism powers in this way is a shocking escalation of the Government's crackdown on protest and we urge the Home Secretary to rethink. 'It's clear the actions of Palestine Action don't meet the Government's own proportionality test to be proscribed as a terrorist group, but the consequences for the group's supporters if ministers go ahead would be heavy – with things like wearing their logo carrying prison sentences. 'This move needs to be viewed in light of the sustained crackdowns on protest we have seen from successive governments over recent years, and the worrying fact that there are more and more non-violent protesters spending years in prison.' The Palestine Coalition is comprised of a number of different groups, including the Palestine Solidarity Campaign and Stop The War.
