Review launched after pig farm abuse claims

The UK's largest pork supplier has launched an independent review into its animal welfare policies and livestock operations after claims staff were abusing piglets at a farm run by the business.

Cranswick, based in Hessle in East Yorkshire, suspended using Northmoor Farm in Lincolnshire after covert footage, filmed by Animal Justice Project (AJP), appeared to show workers holding piglets by their hind legs and slamming them to the ground, using a banned method of killing the animals known as "piglet thumping".

Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury's and Tesco suspended using the farm after the footage emerged last week.

Cranswick said it would not sell on any pigs that were based at the farm.

In a statement, chief executive Adam Couch said the business was reviewing the welfare of its operations.

"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."

According to AJP, other footage appeared to show the botched killing of a sow that left the animal screaming. Another sow was also apparently shown being beaten with metal bars.

Under the Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing Regulation, using blunt trauma to kill pigs is illegal in England.

AJP's founder, Claire Palmer, called for an "independent public inquiry into pig farming practices and regulatory failures".

Announcement of the independent review came as Cranswick revealed revenues had grown by 6.8% to £2.72bn for the year to March, compared with the previous year, due to demand for its luxury products and record Christmas trading.

The firm said fresh pork export revenues lifted by more than 10% after it benefited from the reinstatement of a contract with China.

Meanwhile, the company also revealed that pre-tax profits grew by 14.6% to £181.6m for the year.

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.