Supermarkets Tesco and Asda have suspended supplies from Somerby Top Farm in Lincolnshire following distressing allegations of animal cruelty. The farm, operated by British meat producer Cranswick, has come under scrutiny after undercover footage captured by the Animal Justice Project reportedly revealed instances of severe animal abuse over a 10-month period.
Footage Sparks Immediate Action
The covert filming, described as “deeply distressing,” was made public by the Mail on Sunday. The most severe abuse is alleged to have occurred just two weeks after the farm passed an audit by food chain assurance organization, Red Tractor. In response to the footage, Red Tractor has suspended Somerby Top Farm’s certification and escalated the case to the Animal and Plant Health Agency, the UK government’s animal welfare regulator.
Supermarkets React to Allegations
Both Tesco and Asda have taken swift action by halting supplies from the farm. A Tesco spokesperson stated, “We take animal welfare extremely seriously and expect all our suppliers to adhere to high welfare standards. We were shocked by this footage and have immediately suspended the farm in question. Our specialist agriculture team is working alongside the supplier to conduct a full investigation.”
Similarly, Asda has confirmed, “We immediately suspended supplies from the farm as soon as the claims were brought to our attention.”
Red Tractor and Cranswick Investigate
Red Tractor issued a formal statement, emphasizing their commitment to upholding animal welfare standards: “This footage is a clear breach of our welfare standards and is being taken extremely seriously. A full investigation, including a review of current and historical footage, is underway. The farm will remain uncertified unless our standards are fully met.”
Concerns were also raised over the delayed release of the footage, which reportedly spans from May 2024 to January 2025. Red Tractor noted that this delay hampers timely intervention and urged whistle-blowers to come forward immediately through their anonymous reporting service.
Cranswick responded by commissioning an independent review of on-farm practices. A spokesperson commented, “Following the release of this footage, we have initiated a complete review conducted by a veterinarian professional. We will share the investigation findings upon completion.”
Industry Accountability in Question
This incident has raised serious questions about oversight in the meat production industry and the effectiveness of existing welfare certification programs. As public concern grows, it remains to be seen how the findings will influence future practices in the food supply chain.
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