Animal rights activists claim pig cruelty in undercover investigation

An undercover investigation on two Irish pig farms by animal rights activists has shown what they claim is “severe animal cruelty, neglect and environmental pollution”.

The footage purportedly taken in January 2024, was presented by Animal Rebellion Ireland (ARI) and the National Animal Rights Association (NARA) which said the farms were chosen “at random”.

Source: Animal Rebellion Ireland (ARI) and the National Animal Rights Association (NARA)

The activists said their footage shows pigs in “coffin-like confinement”, pigs with “docked tails”, “seemingly untreated wounds and injuries”, and “dead pigs left piled up outside”.

The footage was given to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), from which the campaigners say they are now “awaiting a response”.

“We want the entire pig industry shut down, and not over a lengthy transitional period. It needs to be shut down immediately,” NARA spokesperson, Laura Broxson said.

One of the pig farms investigated housed between 9,000-12,000 pigs, according to Animal Rebellion Ireland representative, Becky Jenkins, who said “this investigation is the first of many”.

“There were many pigs and piglets sick and injured. Some were biting the bars of their pens repeatedly, which is a stress-induced stereotypical behaviour,” Broxson said.

“We were expecting it to be bad, but we were not fully prepared for the horrors we witnessed,” the spokesperson said and added that there was “nauseating stench of faeces, urine and decay”.

“If dogs and cats were kept in such conditions, there would be national outrage, legal prosecutions, and immediate changes in legislation to prohibit its continuance,” Broxson added.

Attending a press conference organised by the organisations today (Tuesday, March 5), People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Paul Murphy said he will raise the matter in the Dáil this week.

L-r: Animal Rebellion Ireland representative, Becky Jenkins; former UK pig industry vet, Dr. Alice Brough; and National Animal Rights Association spokesperson, Laura Broxson at a press conference in Dublin which revealed the footage of pigs.

The DAFM said it will investigate the “alleged breaches” of pig welfare requirements raised by the acitvists “following receipt of any evidence”, and take “appropriate action” where non-compliance or poor welfare is identified.

In a statement provided to Agriland, the DAFM said that it takes any allegations of breaches of animal welfare regulations “extremely seriously”.

“Irish pig farms are subject to national and European pig welfare regulations, and department officials regularly inspect pig farms on that basis.

“The department has a number of initiatives to support improvements in pig welfare, including pig welfare action plans which the pig sector has engaged with.

“And the provision of grants through the department’s [Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Schemes] TAMS programme to support higher-welfare buildings and infrastructure on farms,” the DAFM said.