Latest news with #Cranswick
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Pork producer Cranswick sacks four workers in animal cruelty probe at one of its pig farms
Cranswick has sacked four workers after alleged animal cruelty was exposed at one of its pig farms. The pork producer said a wider review into its operations is 'well advanced' after The Mail on Sunday revealed that workers in Lincolnshire had been killing piglets by smashing them against floors and walls. Supermarkets have started selling pork from this farm again after suspending supplies when the shocking images caused the business to halt operations at its Northmoor Farm in May. Cranswick said four employees were let go and one person was 'fully retrained in appropriate welfare procedures'. Investors yesterday handed the company a bloody nose over payment for bosses after chief executive Adam Couch was handed £4.6million. Couch said there would be another update on the review into animal welfare policies 'in due course'. The group has also hired five welfare officers and said that external audits have since not identified any problems. In May, secret recordings obtained by The Mail on Sunday showed images of botched killings and piglets being beaten and kicked. The footage at the farm was filmed over several weeks last year by an undercover investigator for the animal rights organisation Animal Justice Project. Cranswick suspended staff at Northmoor and ordered an investigation. Supermarkets including Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury's and Tesco halted supplies from the farm. Cranswick said that sales increased 9.7 per cent over the 13 weeks to June 28, thanks to boosting exports and buying sausage maker Blakemans. But 30.79 per cent of shareholders voted against the group's remuneration report in a protest at its annual general meeting. Couch's total pay jumped from £3.4million in 2023-24 to £4.6million last year. In its annual report, the group justified the pay rise, citing 'a competitive market for talent'. Shares fell 1.5 per cent, or 80p, to 5240p yesterday.
South Wales Guardian
2 days ago
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
Cranswick says review ‘well advanced' after pig farm abuse claims
The boss of the company added that it has strengthened its animal welfare practices and checks further in recent months as a result. Cranswick suspended using Northmoor Farm in Lincolnshire in May after covert footage emerged appearing to show workers at the site abusing piglets. Workers were filmed appearing to hold piglets by their hind legs and slamming them to the ground, using a banned method of killing the animals known as 'piglet thumping'. Major supermarkets Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury's and Tesco suspended Northmoor Farm as a supplier, and Cranswick shortly afterwards launched the independent review into its animal welfare policies and livestock operations. Adam Couch, chief executive of the firm, said: 'In line with the commitments we made on May 20, we have further strengthened our animal welfare compliance practices and checks. 'The independent expert veterinarian led review of these policies and procedures is well advanced, and we look forward to receiving its recommendations. 'We will provide a further update on this review in due course.' The update on Monday came as the East Yorkshire-based company also revealed that revenues grew by 9.7% over the 13 weeks to June 28, after a boost from the acquisition of sausage maker Blakemans and export growth. Like-for-like revenues grew by 7.9% as it was also boosted new business wins and a strong performance from its 'premium added-value ranges'. Export revenues were 'strong' on the back of higher volumes and pricing after the China export licence for its Norfolk fresh pork site was reinstated late last year. Poultry revenues also grew strongly, while its pet products revenues grew after rolling out more products for Pets at Home. Cranswick said it is currently on track to meet it financial expectations for the current financial year. Mr Couch added: 'We have made a strong start to the year, delivering volume-led revenue growth across all product categories. 'Our continued positive progress reflects the substantial ongoing investment in our asset base and the quality and capability of our colleagues across the business.'
Glasgow Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Cranswick says review ‘well advanced' after pig farm abuse claims
The boss of the company added that it has strengthened its animal welfare practices and checks further in recent months as a result. Cranswick suspended using Northmoor Farm in Lincolnshire in May after covert footage emerged appearing to show workers at the site abusing piglets. Workers were filmed appearing to hold piglets by their hind legs and slamming them to the ground, using a banned method of killing the animals known as 'piglet thumping'. Major supermarkets Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury's and Tesco suspended Northmoor Farm as a supplier, and Cranswick shortly afterwards launched the independent review into its animal welfare policies and livestock operations. Cranswick employs more than 15,400 people and runs 23 facilities across the UK (Sam Russell/PA) Adam Couch, chief executive of the firm, said: 'In line with the commitments we made on May 20, we have further strengthened our animal welfare compliance practices and checks. 'The independent expert veterinarian led review of these policies and procedures is well advanced, and we look forward to receiving its recommendations. 'We will provide a further update on this review in due course.' The update on Monday came as the East Yorkshire-based company also revealed that revenues grew by 9.7% over the 13 weeks to June 28, after a boost from the acquisition of sausage maker Blakemans and export growth. Like-for-like revenues grew by 7.9% as it was also boosted new business wins and a strong performance from its 'premium added-value ranges'. Export revenues were 'strong' on the back of higher volumes and pricing after the China export licence for its Norfolk fresh pork site was reinstated late last year. Poultry revenues also grew strongly, while its pet products revenues grew after rolling out more products for Pets at Home. Cranswick said it is currently on track to meet it financial expectations for the current financial year. Mr Couch added: 'We have made a strong start to the year, delivering volume-led revenue growth across all product categories. 'Our continued positive progress reflects the substantial ongoing investment in our asset base and the quality and capability of our colleagues across the business.'
South Wales Argus
2 days ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Cranswick says review ‘well advanced' after pig farm abuse claims
The boss of the company added that it has strengthened its animal welfare practices and checks further in recent months as a result. Cranswick suspended using Northmoor Farm in Lincolnshire in May after covert footage emerged appearing to show workers at the site abusing piglets. Workers were filmed appearing to hold piglets by their hind legs and slamming them to the ground, using a banned method of killing the animals known as 'piglet thumping'. Major supermarkets Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury's and Tesco suspended Northmoor Farm as a supplier, and Cranswick shortly afterwards launched the independent review into its animal welfare policies and livestock operations. Cranswick employs more than 15,400 people and runs 23 facilities across the UK (Sam Russell/PA) Adam Couch, chief executive of the firm, said: 'In line with the commitments we made on May 20, we have further strengthened our animal welfare compliance practices and checks. 'The independent expert veterinarian led review of these policies and procedures is well advanced, and we look forward to receiving its recommendations. 'We will provide a further update on this review in due course.' The update on Monday came as the East Yorkshire-based company also revealed that revenues grew by 9.7% over the 13 weeks to June 28, after a boost from the acquisition of sausage maker Blakemans and export growth. Like-for-like revenues grew by 7.9% as it was also boosted new business wins and a strong performance from its 'premium added-value ranges'. Export revenues were 'strong' on the back of higher volumes and pricing after the China export licence for its Norfolk fresh pork site was reinstated late last year. Poultry revenues also grew strongly, while its pet products revenues grew after rolling out more products for Pets at Home. Cranswick said it is currently on track to meet it financial expectations for the current financial year. Mr Couch added: 'We have made a strong start to the year, delivering volume-led revenue growth across all product categories. 'Our continued positive progress reflects the substantial ongoing investment in our asset base and the quality and capability of our colleagues across the business.'
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Cranswick says review ‘well advanced' after pig farm abuse claims
Cranswick suspended using Northmoor Farm in Lincolnshire in May after covert footage emerged appearing to show workers at the site abusing piglets. Workers were filmed appearing to hold piglets by their hind legs and slamming them to the ground, using a banned method of killing the animals known as 'piglet thumping'. Major supermarkets Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury's and Tesco suspended Northmoor Farm as a supplier, and Cranswick shortly afterwards launched the independent review into its animal welfare policies and livestock operations. Cranswick employs more than 15,400 people and runs 23 facilities across the UK (Sam Russell/PA) Adam Couch, chief executive of the firm, said: 'In line with the commitments we made on May 20, we have further strengthened our animal welfare compliance practices and checks. 'The independent expert veterinarian led review of these policies and procedures is well advanced, and we look forward to receiving its recommendations. 'We will provide a further update on this review in due course.' The update on Monday came as the East Yorkshire-based company also revealed that revenues grew by 9.7% over the 13 weeks to June 28, after a boost from the acquisition of sausage maker Blakemans and export growth. Like-for-like revenues grew by 7.9% as it was also boosted new business wins and a strong performance from its 'premium added-value ranges'. Export revenues were 'strong' on the back of higher volumes and pricing after the China export licence for its Norfolk fresh pork site was reinstated late last year. Poultry revenues also grew strongly, while its pet products revenues grew after rolling out more products for Pets at Home. Cranswick said it is currently on track to meet it financial expectations for the current financial year. Mr Couch added: 'We have made a strong start to the year, delivering volume-led revenue growth across all product categories. 'Our continued positive progress reflects the substantial ongoing investment in our asset base and the quality and capability of our colleagues across the business.'
