Undercover Footage Reveals Disturbing Conditions at Devon Pig Farm

Recent undercover footage captured at Cross Farm in Holsworthy, Devon, has revealed animal suffering, prompting calls for legal action against the farm’s owners, WJ Watkins and Son. The footage, obtained by Glass Wall Films, depicts pigs enduring appalling conditions including cannibalism, malnourishment, untreated wounds, and overcrowded, filthy pens.

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The distressing video footage, recorded across four separate nights, exposes pigs living in cramped and unsanitary conditions, with some animals seen trampling on and biting each other, resulting in fatalities. These conditions starkly contrast the standards expected under the Red Tractor scheme, which certifies food produced to a “high standard.” Christopher Shoebridge, representing Glass Wall Films, expressed deep shock at the state of the farm, particularly considering promises of improved animal welfare. Shoebridge lamented the “unimaginable suffering” witnessed by the film crew and highlighted the trauma experienced by those involved in documenting the scenes.

This isn’t the first time concerns have been raised about Cross Farm. Previous investigations in 2017 by Animal Equality also uncovered distressing conditions, including pigs living in dilapidated buildings covered in slurry, pregnant pigs confined to barren concrete pens, and pigs subjected to unnecessary mutilations such as tail docking. In response to the footage, Advocates for Animals has lodged a complaint with trading standards, alleging multiple breaches of welfare laws at the farm. The organization expressed shock and sadness at the revelations, emphasizing the need for urgent action to address the ongoing suffering of animals at Cross Farm.

Despite claims of compliance by the National Pig Association (NPA), the footage portrays conditions that fall short of acceptable standards. The NPA’s assertion that some elements of the footage are inaccurate or representative raises further concerns about transparency and accountability within the industry. The release of the documentary “Pignorant” on Amazon Prime adds to the mounting evidence of widespread issues within the UK pork industry. The film exposes the use of CO2 to gas pigs before slaughter, highlighting a troubling disconnect between industry practices and the country’s purported animal welfare standards.

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