Supplies suspended at Somerby Top Farm

Shoppers face questions about welfare labels as Somerby Top Farm loses major customers after undercover footage shows abuse

Supermarkets suspend supplies from Lincolnshire pig farm after covert filming reveals abuse

Three of the UK’s biggest supermarket chains Tesco, Asda and Sainsbury’s have suspended purchases from Somerby Top Farm in Lincolnshire following covert footage released by the Animal Justice Project. The video, recorded between May 2024 and January 2025, is said to show workers kicking piglets and striking animals with boards and paddles, with injured pigs kept in pens that appear unclean and crowded. The footage also allegedly captures animals with open wounds and pigs left lame and writhing in pain. Somerby Top Farm was bought by Cranswick in 2023 and was certified by Red Tractor in October 2024.

Cranswick says it is horrified by the footage and has begun an investigation, and Red Tractor responded by suspending the farm’s certification with immediate effect and referring the case to the government animal welfare regulator. Red Tractor said it is reviewing current and historical footage and will keep the farm unassured until standards are met. The farm’s use of CCTV has been expanded, and Cranswick has recruited welfare officers and commissioned an independent vet-led review across its farms. Cranswick also noted that staff involved are no longer with the business. Morrisons has not yet commented on the matter. The photos and videos come amid a broader debate about how welfare inspections translate to on‑farm conditions and consumer trust in certification schemes.

The episode tests the strength of welfare labels in a real supply chain. When undercover footage shocks retailers and shoppers, it raises questions about how quickly verification programs respond and how independent they truly are. Red Tractor’s decision to suspend Somerby Top Farm signals a willingness to clamp down, but it also exposes the fragility of branding promises when faced with graphic evidence. The case may intensify scrutiny of Cranswick and other producers, potentially affecting investment signals and policy dialogue around animal welfare enforcement. Activist filming can spur reform, yet it also risks triggering a chase for short-term fixes rather than enduring improvements across the industry. The final test will be whether certification bodies can maintain credibility without slowing down justice for animals.

The broader tension is clear: ensure rigorous checks while maintaining fair treatment of farms that are meeting reforms. As shoppers demand accountability, the industry must show that labels are backed by verifiable progress, not just labeled intentions.

Highlights

Labels carry weight only if they prove real changes are happening on the ground.