Published 30/05/2013

Compassion's recent investigation of pig farms in Italy reveals shocking footage of conditions and farming practices that violate current EU directives.

The results from the investigation reveal just how widespread the problems are: all farms visited by Compassion's Investigation Unit, were violating EU legislation for the protection of pigs.

The footage obtained shows pigs with severely 'docked' tails, a lack of any enrichment to allow them to engage in their natural activities and pigs crammed into overcrowded pens. Other pigs are lying in their own excrement on concrete floors.

Some pigs were left without care if they were sick or injured and the footage shows dead animals being thrown into the corners of farm buildings.

To raise awareness of pig welfare in Italy, CIWF Italia is launching 'Sonodegno', 'I am worth', a campaign educating people about pigs and all farm animals being worth a life, which is not the case in factory farms.

"The conditions of the pigs on the farms that we observed are not only illegal, but also ethically unacceptable: 'unworthy'. We are inviting Italian citizens to support our campaign and sign the petition to put an end to the suffering of millions of pigs in Italy and indeed throughout the EU.

"It is vital that current illegal pig farming practices are condemned and that compliance with EU directives is demanded' says Annamaria Pisapia, Director of CIWF Italy.

'Sonodegno' is the first campaign launched by newly opened Italian headquarters of CIWF. The Italian branch's website also launches today: www.ciwf.it