Activism

UK Pig Farm Cruelty Exposed

Credit: Virtue for Animals Video - YouTube

Investigators from the animal rights group Virtue for Animals visited Holme Farm in Chester, UK to expose the cruel conditions that exist for the pigs behind closed doors. Their findings have been documented in a video posted today on YouTube.

150 protestors from the group participated in an anti-meat protest at the pig farm today. During their peaceful protest the group were hosed with a jet of water by a farmer. Virtue for Animals left the farm at midnight after an eight-hour protest once police attended the scene.



The video starts by bringing attention to the stark contrast in the "idyllic image" the farm portrays with some animals roaming around outside, but once behind closed doors, "we once again are reminded of the sad reality of animal farming".

"Despite having limited access to the outside, the pigs who live on this farm will spend the majority of their life indoors, inside dirty barren sheds, where they will be fattened up before slaughter."

In parts of the farm, mother pigs were found inside cruel farrowing crates. These metal cages, which are banned in Sweden, Norway and Switzerland, but not the UK, are designed to allow young pigs to suckle but not enough room for the mother to even turn around. "Mother pigs are generally put inside these farrowing crates for 24 - 35 days every 5 months until they are around 5 years old when they will then be sent to slaughter."

The mothers on this farm were also seemed to have nose rings, these rings are to control their natural rooting behaviour. "The procedure to insert these rings can be very painful and stressful."

Virtue for Animals suggests that if Holme Farms feels these conditions are acceptable, then maybe should shine the light on themselves, maybe a farm that abandons the use of animals that allows them to live in freedom and peace would be the greatest improvement they could make.

Other campaigns by the animal rights group whose motto is "Hold Yourself to a Higher Standard" have included Morrisons Pig Farm and Devon Dairy Farms.



When the consumption of animal products is unnecessary for us, why do meat-eaters still continue to support these industries that cause so much suffering and pain to sentient and gentle creatures.

The video ends with a plea to choose a cruelty-free vegan lifestyle and to help spread awareness of how these intelligent and innocent animals are treated.