Business to invest £40 million over next three years to improve and standardise farm practices
Following the completion of an independent, veterinarian-led review of Cranswick’s pig farming operations, the Board of Cranswick plc has committed to a new, six-point plan to raise animal welfare standards across the business’s pig farming operations.
In response to the film footage highlighting unacceptable practices at North Moor Farm, the Board commissioned Dr Andy Butterworth, an independent vet with three decades of experience, to conduct a review and assess compliance with legal, industry and retailer animal welfare standards, while also identifying areas for improvement, with a particular focus on the working culture across Cranswick farms.
The review, which involved unannounced visits to twenty separate pig farms during June, July and August 2025, found that the Cranswick farms visited were compliant with legislation and animal welfare standards, and found no evidence of poor handling and treatment of pigs on farm. It concluded that the actions seen in the investigative films were not representative of Cranswick’s normal standards and practices.
Nonetheless, the review set out a range of recommendations for raising standards within Cranswick and across the wider industry. These recommendations have been published in full by Cranswick and can be viewed here.
The recommendations include the standardisation of farming practices and procedures across all Cranswick pig farms, increased use of surveillance systems to ensure good practice for pig welfare on farms, improvements in the culture and working practices on farms, increased focus on animal health and welfare outcomes and collaboration with the industry, Red Tractor and Cranswick customers to develop improved welfare standards for pigs.
In response to the report, the Board of Cranswick have accepted in full the findings and committed to a new six-point plan to raise animal welfare standards across all Cranswick-run pig farms. The details of this plan will be confirmed by the end of December 2025.
The six-point plan includes:
- A full review of Cranswick training, working practices and farm culture. This will include an enhanced training programme, delivered regularly by vets and farm welfare experts.
- The introduction of standardised working practices and procedures across all Cranswick farms, to ensure that standards are the same across Cranswick’s pig farms.
- The continued installation of advanced AI-enabled CCTV surveillance technology to review and implement good practice for pig welfare on farms and to monitor ongoing health and welfare measures.
- The introduction of five new welfare officer roles, which will be based in a dedicated Cranswick Welfare Hub. This refurbished site will become a centre-of-excellence for training, research and development, and will host Cranswick’s CCTV and AI-enhanced monitoring capabilities.
- The incorporation of the updated welfare procedures into Cranswick’s ESG programme, including formal progress reviews with the Board.
- Investing over £40m across the next three years to improve and modernise the Cranswick pig farming operations.
The Board would like to thank Dr Butterworth for undertaking this comprehensive investigation and highlighting opportunities to continue to improve our pig farming operations and those of the wider industry.
A further update outlining the progress made towards these six key areas will be made in due course.