Four of the UK’s largest supermarket chains, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, and Morrisons, have suspended supplies from a Lincolnshire pig farm following the release of undercover footage alleging serious animal welfare violations.
The footage, captured by the Animal Justice Project, showed practices at Northmoor Farm—including alleged use of banned slaughter methods such as blunt force trauma on piglets and physical abuse of sows. Cranswick, one of the UK’s leading pig meat producers, operates the farm.
The farm reportedly houses approximately 6,000 pigs. According to AJP, the video evidence documents breaches of UK regulations on animal welfare during the killing. A formal complaint has been submitted to Trading Standards.
The method known as blunt force trauma was officially banned in 2022 for use on piglets under 10kg, following recommendations from the UK’s Animal Welfare Committee and the EU’s Reference Centre for Animal Welfare, both of which deemed it inhumane and unnecessary given the availability of alternatives like captive bolt guns.
Cranswick responded by suspending all facility staff and halting pig supplies from the farm while an internal investigation was underway. All four supermarket chains confirmed that supply suspensions will remain in place pending the outcome of that investigation.
This development may have implications across the retail meat supply chain, particularly regarding ethical sourcing standards and supplier compliance monitoring. Retailers, food service buyers, and procurement managers may face increased scrutiny over supply chain transparency and animal welfare protocols.
