Published 07/03/2013

Compassion's latest investigation secured shocking footage of pig farming practices made illegal by EU directives, that are still being used in Spain today.

Please be warned that the footage gained may be upsetting for some supporters. The footage shows, but is not confined to:

• 'Pig bins' outside the farms. These were full of dead pigs. Some of them appeared to have been there for some length of time, with maggots feeding on the dead flesh.
• Pigs having to stand in flooded waste and lying in their own excrement.
• No enrichment, causing the pigs to continuously chew at the bars for stimulation.
• Severely 'docked' tails.
• Overcrowded environments with injured pigs huddled, unable to move with ease.

Philip Lymbery, CEO at Compassion in World Farming says:"Bins full of dead pigs being eaten by maggots; piglets lying in their own filth; pregnant sows kept in sow stalls, so narrow that they cannot even turn around: this is a horrific reality check."

"We must do more to ensure that pigs are treated as the sentient beings they are. What use is a Directive if we don't follow it throughout the EU? This footage shows that the Commission must do more to enforce the Pigs Directive and penalise those flouting it."

Warning: This film contains scenes of animal suffering which you may find upsetting. Please watch with caution.

Take action:

• Urge the Spanish Agriculture Minister to take immediate action to make sure that welfare is at the heart of pig farming in Spain. Demand action for Spanish pigs >>
• Find out more about the investigation in Spain