Cranswick plc has announced a £40 million investment over the next three years to modernise and standardise its pig farming operations following an independent review of its animal welfare practices.
The veterinarian-led review, carried out by Dr Andy Butterworth, examined 20 Cranswick pig farms between June and August 2025. It confirmed compliance with legal and industry animal welfare standards and found no evidence of poor handling or mistreatment. The review also identified opportunities to strengthen consistency, training, and oversight across the business.
In response, Cranswick’s board has approved a six-point plan to raise welfare standards across all its farms. The plan includes a full review of training and farm culture, standardised operating procedures, and the rollout of AI-enabled CCTV to enhance welfare monitoring. Five new welfare officer roles will be established within a new Cranswick Welfare Hub, which will serve as a centre for training, research, and oversight of surveillance.
The company will also integrate the updated welfare protocols into its ESG framework, with regular board-level progress reviews. Full details of the six-point plan are expected by December 2025.
