SHOCKING undercover footage filmed by activists has lifted the lid on conditions inside an RSPCA Assured pig farm in Dorstone.

The investigation, carried out by Animal Justice Project at Bage Court Farm, shows pigs confined in filthy pens, some suffering from severe tail-biting wounds, infected joints, abscesses and lameness.

The material filmed at Bage Court Farm, shows pigs housed indoors in crowded, sparsely enriched pens, including animals with visible injuries and mobility issues.

The Animal Justice Project say the conditions documented appear inconsistent with expectations created by the RSPCA Assured certification, under which Stockcroft Ltd operates. Bage Court Farm is not owned by the company, but rears pigs under contract at the site.

However, a leading veterinary expert has accused the animal welfare charity of allowing ‘cramped, squalid’ systems to pass as higher welfare.

Dr Alice Brough said: “The general conditions on the farm are typical of an unit of this type – cramped, squalid and devoid of sufficient stimulation for highly intelligent and hygienic pigs.

“This is not an unusual scene to find vice behaviours like tail biting as a result of needs not being met and chronic stress.”

An RSPCA Assured spokesperson said the charity had launched an urgent investigation and added that it had issued the farm with a formal warning and sanctions.

The spokesperson added: “Any allegations of poor welfare or breaches of the RSPCA’s welfare standards are always taken seriously.

“We acted quickly after receiving the footage and launched an urgent investigation, which has now concluded.

“Since our investigation, the producer group has cancelled membership for this site. This means this farm is no longer an RSPCA Assured member.

“As part of our investigation, one of our scheme investigation managers carried out an unannounced visit to the farm within 24 hours of receiving the footage.

“They were reassured to see the pigs on site at the time were clean, active and had plenty of enrichment and straw to root around in.

“However, as animal welfare is our top priority, we must be confident that the RSPCA’s welfare standards are followed at all times, which is why we issued the farm with a formal warning, and - had they remained an RSPCA Assured member - they would have received another unannounced visit within six months.

“As a result of our visit, we gave the farm additional advice on keeping bedding topped up to help maintain clean, dry conditions and provide sufficient enrichment.

“The injured pigs seen in the footage had been segregated into a hospital pen and were already receiving treatment and care when they were filmed.

“Decisions about whether euthanasia is necessary are made by the farmer, often in conjunction with their vet, based on the best welfare interests of each animal.

“Some of the dark marks seen on the pigs in the footage were ink identification marks, a legal requirement when moving pigs off a farm. This site was also using green oak shaving as an absorbent material placed under the straw, which can make the area darker in appearance.

“We urge anyone with concerns about a farmed animal on an RSPCA Assured certified farm to report it straight away. Any delay puts animals at risk of unnecessary suffering.”