One of the UK’s largest pig producers, Cranswick Plc, has being stripped of its Red Tractor certification following alleged animal abuse.
Animal Justice Project has claimed the company is abusing animals after undertaking what it described as a 10-month-long, undercover investigation.
The group released a six-minute video based on Cranswick’s handling of animals on its Somerby Top Farm in Lincolnshire.
Cranswick – which supplies many large supermarkets such as Tesco, ASDA, Sainsburys, and Morrisons – has since lost contracts with companies as well as its Red Tractor certificate.
Supermarkets
A spokesperson for ASDA said: “As soon as Asda was made aware of these claims, we immediately suspended supply from this farm.”
A Tesco spokesperson said: “We take animal welfare extremely seriously and expect all our suppliers to adhere to our high welfare standards.
“We were shocked by this footage, and we have immediately suspended the farm in question.
“Our specialist agriculture team is working with the supplier to carry out a full investigation.”
A spokesperson for Sainsbury’s said: “We are appalled by the mistreatment in this footage. What it shows in no way reflects the standards of welfare and conduct we require from all of our suppliers, including Cranswick.
“While we understand this footage was captured before Cranswick launched a comprehensive review of its operations, until we have detailed, independent assurance that Somerby Top Farm and all other sites in the Elsham Lincs Group meet our welfare standards, we have immediately suspended supply from these farms.”
A Morrisons spokesperson said: “We care deeply about animal welfare and these allegations are disturbing and unacceptable.
“We welcome Cranswick’s urgent investigation and have immediately suspended supply from this farm until further notice.”
Red Tractor
Following the released footage, Red Tractor released a statement saying: “This footage is deeply distressing. Red Tractor is taking this clear breach of animal welfare standards extremely seriously.
“The farm’s Red Tractor certification has been suspended with immediate effect and a full investigation is underway.”
The quality assurance group said it has referred the case to the government animal welfare regulator, the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).
Red Tractor also confirmed it would be carrying out an independent and thorough review of all available footage from the farm, with compliance from the company.
The spokesperson for the assurance group said: “It’s important to note that this footage was taken between May 2024 and January 2025, with evidence and allegations only being presented to Red Tractor in August 2025.
“This delay is concerning and suggests that these activists have prioritised ideology over protecting animal welfare.”
Red Tractor reminded the public that it offers a free anonymous whistle-blowing service, and encouraged those experiencing animal abuse to contact it.
Cranswick
Following the publication of the footage, Cranswick Plc said: “The health and welfare of our pigs is our highest priority and we were horrified to see this unacceptable historic footage, filmed at Somerby Top farm.
“We find the treatment of the pigs in the footage distressing to watch and we apologise unreservedly for this lapse in our standards.
“It does not in any way reflect the operating practices at our farms today.”
As the footage was primarily taken in 2024, Cranswick stated that changes have being implemented since May when Animal Justice Project released the North Moor Farm footage.
The company confirmed that new mangers were hired, staff in the videos were let go, and five new full-time welfare officers were hired.
Additionally, Cranswick confirmed that all farm staff had being retrained in livestock handling and animal welfare standards.
The spokesperson said: “We are currently installing AI-enabled CCTV at all of our indoor farms to enable us to monitor the health of our pigs and the behaviour of our colleagues, in real time, to ensure our exacting standards are consistently met.”
Cranswick also confirmed that it is currently under an independent review, consisting of farm visits, staff interviews, and veterinary testing.
