Cranswick says review is 'well advanced' after abuse claims at farm run by firm

COMPANY SAID IT HAS STRENGTHENED ITS ANIMAL WELFARE PRACTICES

- By MARK PAGE

HULL-BASED meat producer Cranswick has revealed that an independent investigation into its animal welfare policies is "well advanced" after shocking abuse allegations surfaced at a farm run by the company.

The firm's chief executive confirmed that animal welfare practices and monitoring have been strengthened in recent months as a direct response to the controversy.

Cranswick ceased operations at Northmoor Farm, near Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, back in May when undercover filming allegedly captured staff mistreating piglets at the site. The disturbing footage appeared to show employees gripping piglets by their back legs before hurling them against the ground, employing a prohibited killing technique dubbed "piglet thumping".