Cruelty Exposed at PQA-Certified Pig Farm in the Midwest

Mercy For Animals has uncovered alarming cases of animal abuse at a pig farm in the Midwest certified under the Pork Quality Assurance (PQA) Plus program. A recent undercover investigation reveals severe violations at the farm, calling into question the credibility of PQA Plus and its role in upholding animal welfare standards.

The investigation, conducted in mid-2022, exposed the horrific treatment of pigs. Footage shows pigs being improperly shot with a captive bolt gun, leading to prolonged suffering, while piglets had their tails and testicles removed without pain relief. Sick animals were subjected to brutal handling, and injured piglets were left to die in piles. Paula Tejeda-Moncrief, the U.S. director of investigations at Mercy For Animals, stated, “This is not an isolated incident… the most devastating horrors become routine. Marketing labels designed to reassure the public are often just empty words.”

PQA Plus was designed to provide reassurance about animal welfare in the pork industry. However, according to Mercy For Animals, the program falls short in preventing cruelty. Animal welfare scientist Dr. Walter Sánchez-Suárez highlighted that the program may mislead consumers with claims that do not reflect the harsh reality of industrial pig farming.

In response to these findings, Mercy For Animals is pushing for regulatory changes through the Pigs and Public Health Act, aiming to enforce stricter welfare standards and improve public health protections.

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