Undercover footage has revealed animals being beaten with pitchforks at a Norfolk farm.
Horrifying scenes show boars collapsing and enduring serious mistreatment at the hands of workers.
Forced to walk on concrete covered in faeces despite obvious injuries, the animals are repeatedly hit with pipes and paddles.
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Innovis Farm, near Great Yarmouth, in Norfolk, has suspended two employees since the footage emerged, as reported by Need To Know.
And Red Tractor, the UK’s largest food and farm standards scheme, has suspended the farm’s certification.
Almost 800 hours of footage by Animal Justice Project (AJP) showed boars confined to barren pens.
Two pigs were seen being hit in the face while another had a gate slammed onto its face.
Activists from AJP say the abuse was widespread and constant.
A spokesman for the animal rights organisation said the investigation showed potential violations of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
During its investigation, AJP claims it found that the animals had been physically abused over 300 times.
It also said the animals’ living conditions were filthy and unhygienic.
Innovis, which owns and controls the farm, sells boar semen exclusively to genetics giant Hermitage for distribution to pig farms across Britain, which then provide pork, bacon and other meats to major retailers.
Hermitage has condemned the behaviour, calling it “completely unacceptable”.
The company said it would be cutting ties with Innovis until assurances had been received.
Claire Palmer, director of AJP, said: “The abuse at Innovis – pigs beaten, stabbed, and terrorised – was exposed thanks to undercover investigations.
“It’s a failure of authorities and regulators that the burden falls on activists to uncover these horrors.
“But awareness isn’t enough – we need action.
“A plant-based food system is the only way to end this exploitation and create a compassionate future.”
A Red Tractor spokesman said: “We are shocked and disgusted by the footage.
“After receiving and verifying the footage we revoked the farm’s Red Tractor certification and immediately reported the incident to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).
“We are unable to make further comment now the information is being investigated by the Regulator.”
The British Retail Consortium said breaches of animal welfare were totally unacceptable and would be investigated, with swift action taken to rectify any issues.
AJP has said it is seeking prosecutions.
Innovis has been approached for comment.
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