July 29, 2024

UK supermarket chain resumes supply from swine farm after addressing farm's animal welfare concerns

Tesco, a UK supermarket chain, has resumed the supply of swine from UK farm Cross Farm following detailed footage of animal welfare issues highlighted by activists, PigWorld reported.

Animal Equality activists used hidden cameras to record footage six times between October 2023 and June 2024, which was later highlighted in national media in June. As a result, Tesco suspended the supply of swine from the farm and initiated an investigation into its practices.

Since then, Tesco has collaborated with the farm, which implemented an action plan to address the issues raised. The retailer is now satisfied with the farm's action plan and has resumed the supply of swine from Cross Farm.

The farm, which reportedly houses about 12,000 swine, also had its Red Tractor certification suspended while it conducted its own inspection. The certification has now been reinstated, but a spokesperson for the assurance body stated that the farm will remain under "close scrutiny," receiving additional, unannounced spot checks.

The spokesperson for Red Tractor 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 conducted 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 scrutiny, receiving additional unannounced spot checks to monitor ongoing compliance."

Animal Equality claimed that "several potential legal breaches" were found at the farm because of its investigation. It has engaged the law firm Advocates for Animals to submit a formal complaint about these breaches to Trading Standards and APHA.

-      PigWorld