Viral Video Of Piglets Being Tortured Prompts Tesco, Asda, And More To Stop Supplies From Lincolnshire Pig Farm

Britain's biggest grocers — Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's and Morrisons — have stopped taking pork from Somerby Top Farm in Lincolnshire after an undercover ten-month investigation by Animal Justice Project (AJP), alleging routine cruelty, from beatings to botched killings.

The owner, Cranswick, states that the historic footage does not reflect current practices; the assurance body, Red Tractor, has suspended the site and referred it to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).

Tesco stated: '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 have immediately suspended the farm in question.'

Asda echoed the sentiment, confirming it had 'immediately suspended supply' from the farm.

What the Footage Revealed

The footage, recorded between May 2024 and January 2025, shows workers at Somerby Top Farm:

• Hitting pigs with boards, paddles, and fists, often targeting sensitive areas like the snout and eyes.
• Neglecting welfare checks, with one inspection of 1,000 pigs reportedly lasting just 90 seconds.
• Botched killings of lame piglets, leaving them screaming and thrashing for over 30 seconds after being shot.
• Cannibalism, with piglets left dying for hours while others gnawed at open wounds.

Veterinarian Dr Alice Brough, who reviewed the footage, called the violence 'deeply concerning' and stated that Cranswick's claims of high animal welfare are 'utterly incompatible with what we see here.'

Red Tractor Certification Suspended

The farm was previously certified by Red Tractor, a food chain assurance scheme meant to uphold animal welfare standards.

However, following the release of the footage, Red Tractor suspended Somerby Top Farm's certification with immediate effect and referred the case to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).

A Red Tractor spokesperson said: 'This footage is deeply distressing. Red Tractor is taking this apparent breach of animal welfare standards extremely seriously.

'Red Tractor is conducting a thorough review of both current and historical footage, compliance and staffing on the farm. The farm will remain unassured if Red Tractor is not satisfied that our standards are met.'

Cranswick's Response and Reforms

Cranswick, the UK's largest pork producer and operator of Somerby Top Farm, has issued an apology and announced a series of reforms following the release of distressing footage showing animal abuse.

'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,' the company stated.

Cranswick clarified that, as with the earlier footage from North Moor Farm released in May 2025, the content was recorded several months ago but only recently shared with them.

'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 reflect the operating practices at our farms today.'

In response, Cranswick has begun implementing significant changes across its farming operations:

• A management overhaul at affected farms
• Recruitment of five new full-time welfare officers
• Retraining of all farm staff in livestock handling, with a renewed focus on animal health and welfare
• Installation of AI-enabled CCTV across all indoor farms to monitor pig health and staff behaviour in real time

'Since May, we have been implementing major changes across all of our farming businesses to address the challenges raised within the footage,' the statement continued.

Cranswick also confirmed that an independent veterinary professional is conducting a full review of its on-farm practices. The company has pledged to share the findings once the investigation is complete.

Industry Reaction and Public Outcry

The National Pig Association (NPA) condemned the abuse, calling it 'wholly unacceptable' and 'not representative of the care pig farmers provide to their animals across the country daily'.

However, the group also criticised AJP for delaying the release of the footage, arguing that earlier intervention could have prevented prolonged suffering.

Animal Justice Project director Claire Palmer responded: 'This is the worst cannibalism we have ever documented. Pigs were eaten alive... the result of boredom, overcrowding, and despair.

'The public should be appalled, and it's time for an independent, public inquiry into the UK pig industry.'

Why It Matters Now

This is the second Cranswick farm scrutinised in 2025, after similar allegations at North Moor Farm in May triggered retailer suspensions and corporate changes. The Somerby Top case intensifies pressure on supply-chain assurance, on-farm monitoring and the timeliness of escalation when covert footage is gathered.

The scandal has reignited calls for a public inquiry into the UK pig industry, with campaigners demanding stricter oversight and transparency.

As investigations continue, the spotlight remains on how such abuse occurred under certified conditions and what reforms will be necessary to restore public trust.