Tesco has restarted the supply of pigs from Cross Farm after detailed footage of issues with the farm’s handling pigs was highlighted by activists.
After videos obtained by Animal Equality activists using hidden cameras six times between October 2023 and June 2024 were highlighted in the national media in June, Tesco suspended the supply of pigs from the farm and opened an investigation into its practices.
Since then, Tesco has worked with the farm, which put an action plan in place to address the issues raised. The retailer is now understood to be satisfied with farm’s action plan and approach and has resumed supply from it.
The farm, which reportedly houses about 12,000 pigs, also had its Red Tractor certification suspended as it carried out its own inspection.
This has now also been reinstated, but a spokesperson for the assurance body said the farm will remain under ‘close scrutiny’, receiving additional, unannounced spot checks.
He said: “Animal welfare standards are a top priority for Red Tractor and we take allegations of this type very seriously.
“The undercover footage raised some concerns about compliance, so the farm’s Red Tractor certificate was temporarily suspended while we investigated.
“An independent assessor has been on farm to conduct an unannounced spot check, which found the farm had already implemented some measures to address issues raised in the footage. The farm’s certificate has therefore been reinstated but the business will remain under close scrutiny, receiving additional unannounced spot checks to monitor ongoing compliance.”
Cross Farm comment
In a statement, the farm said: “The welfare of our animals and how they are cared for on our farm is absolutely paramount to our staff and business.
“Indeed, in the instances we have been made aware of examples which fall below the standard we would expect, urgent remediate action has been taken and we have cooperated with numerous and comprehensive independent inspections including farm assurance, the Animal Plant and Health Agency (APHA) and the supply chain, and will continue to do so.”
Animal Equality claimed that ‘several potential legal breaches’ were found at the farm, as a result of its investigation. It has engaged law firm, Advocates for Animals, to submit a formal complaint about these to Trading Standards and APHA.
“Having visited Cross Farm personally on several occasions, I witnessed the suffering of these animals first-hand,” said Abigal Penny, executive director for Animal Equality UK.
