Supermarkets Suspend Supplies from Lincolnshire Pig Farm Amid Animal Cruelty Allegations
Published 17 August 2025
Highlights
- Covert footage from Somerby Top Farm in Lincolnshire shows alleged animal cruelty, prompting supermarkets like Tesco and Asda to suspend supplies.
- The Animal Justice Project (AJP) filmed the abuse over ten months, revealing pigs being hit and improperly killed, with some suffering severe injuries.
- Red Tractor suspended the farm's certification and referred it to the Animal and Plant Health Agency after reviewing the "deeply distressing" footage.
- Cranswick, the farm's owner, expressed horror at the footage and apologized, emphasizing their commitment to animal welfare.
- The delay in presenting the footage to authorities has raised concerns about prioritizing ideology over immediate animal welfare protection.
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Rewritten Article
Supermarkets Suspend Supplies from Lincolnshire Pig Farm Amid Animal Cruelty Allegations
Allegations of severe animal cruelty at Somerby Top Farm in Lincolnshire have led major UK supermarkets, including Tesco, Asda, and Sainsbury’s, to suspend their meat supplies from the facility. The disturbing claims emerged after the Animal Justice Project (AJP) released covert footage documenting the mistreatment of pigs over a ten-month period.
Allegations of Abuse
The footage, recorded between May 2024 and January 2025, depicts workers at the farm, owned by Cranswick, Britain's largest pork supplier, engaging in acts of cruelty such as hitting pigs with boards and paddles. Some pigs were left with open wounds and were reportedly packed into unsanitary pens, exacerbating their suffering. The AJP claims that welfare checks were often ignored, with some pigs left to endure severe pain for extended periods.
Supermarket Response
In response to the footage, Tesco, Asda, and Sainsbury’s have all suspended supplies from the farm. A Tesco spokesperson stated, "We take animal welfare extremely seriously and expect all our suppliers to adhere to our high welfare standards." Asda echoed this sentiment, emphasizing their immediate suspension of supplies upon learning of the allegations.
Regulatory Action
The British food assurance scheme Red Tractor, which had previously certified the farm, has suspended its certification and referred the case to the government's Animal and Plant Health Agency. Red Tractor expressed concern over the delay in receiving the footage, suggesting that the activists may have prioritized ideology over immediate animal welfare.
Cranswick's Reaction
Cranswick has expressed horror at the footage, with a spokesperson stating, "The health and welfare of our pigs is our highest priority, and we were horrified to see this unacceptable treatment." The company has apologized unreservedly for the lapse and is cooperating with ongoing investigations.
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Scenario Analysis
The fallout from these allegations could lead to significant changes in the UK pig industry, particularly in how animal welfare standards are monitored and enforced. If the investigations confirm the abuse, it may prompt stricter regulations and more frequent audits to prevent future incidents. Additionally, the delay in reporting the footage raises questions about the role of activist groups in balancing advocacy with timely intervention. As the investigation unfolds, it could also influence consumer trust and purchasing decisions, potentially impacting the market for pork products in the UK.
Allegations of severe animal cruelty at Somerby Top Farm in Lincolnshire have led major UK supermarkets, including Tesco, Asda, and Sainsbury’s, to suspend their meat supplies from the facility. The disturbing claims emerged after the Animal Justice Project (AJP) released covert footage documenting the mistreatment of pigs over a ten-month period.
Allegations of Abuse
The footage, recorded between May 2024 and January 2025, depicts workers at the farm, owned by Cranswick, Britain's largest pork supplier, engaging in acts of cruelty such as hitting pigs with boards and paddles. Some pigs were left with open wounds and were reportedly packed into unsanitary pens, exacerbating their suffering. The AJP claims that welfare checks were often ignored, with some pigs left to endure severe pain for extended periods.
Supermarket Response
In response to the footage, Tesco, Asda, and Sainsbury’s have all suspended supplies from the farm. A Tesco spokesperson stated, "We take animal welfare extremely seriously and expect all our suppliers to adhere to our high welfare standards." Asda echoed this sentiment, emphasizing their immediate suspension of supplies upon learning of the allegations.
Regulatory Action
The British food assurance scheme Red Tractor, which had previously certified the farm, has suspended its certification and referred the case to the government's Animal and Plant Health Agency. Red Tractor expressed concern over the delay in receiving the footage, suggesting that the activists may have prioritized ideology over immediate animal welfare.
Cranswick's Reaction
Cranswick has expressed horror at the footage, with a spokesperson stating, "The health and welfare of our pigs is our highest priority, and we were horrified to see this unacceptable treatment." The company has apologized unreservedly for the lapse and is cooperating with ongoing investigations.
What this might mean
The fallout from these allegations could lead to significant changes in the UK pig industry, particularly in how animal welfare standards are monitored and enforced. If the investigations confirm the abuse, it may prompt stricter regulations and more frequent audits to prevent future incidents. Additionally, the delay in reporting the footage raises questions about the role of activist groups in balancing advocacy with timely intervention. As the investigation unfolds, it could also influence consumer trust and purchasing decisions, potentially impacting the market for pork products in the UK.
