An undercover film crew has exposed horrendous animal abuse on a Devon pig farm. The revelations have prompted demands for legal action against the owners, WJ Watkins & Son. Pigs condemned to filthy cramped conditions resorted to canibalism of corpses to stave off starvation. In one clip a screaming pig was trampled on an bitten by others, and apparently died in view of the crew from Glass Wall Films. The farmer was aware of the filming on Cross Farm, Holsworthy in October. He refused to comment to the press, but referred them to the industry's lobby group, National Pig Association (NPA).
The Farm was investigated by Animal Equity, an animal welfare group in 2017. It found unsanitary, cramped, and barren concrete pens confining an estimated 12,000 pigs. Improvements were promised. Glass Wall decided to visit farms where improvements were committed. It was shocked to find that conditions had actually gotten worse. Video were made of carbon dioxide asphyxiation, used to slaughter animals. England has some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world, and its people are known for their love of animals. To know such barbaric conditions existing on a Denvon farm shocks the conscience. An NPA spokesman claimed parts of the film are not authentic and do not portray actual operations at the farm, which has been found compliant with all relevant requirements. Tell that to the pigs!