Pig Farm Owners Admit Breaching Animal Welfare Rules

The owners of a pig farm in the Harborough District have admitted breaching animal welfare regulations after secret filming revealed appalling conditions.

Representatives from Elvidge Farms Limited appeared at Leicester Magistrates’ Court yesterday, after being prosecuted by Leicestershire Trading Standards.

An investigation was launched in 2020, when animal welfare campaign group Viva! released graphic footage from inside Flat House Farm in Gilmorton, near Lutterworth.

Pic: Viva!

Viva! said its four-month investigation unearthed a catalogue of neglect and abuse, including ‘sick and dying animals left to suffer’ and ‘rotting corpses and emaciated pigs’.

Elvidge Farms Limited pleaded guilty to an offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, relating to the suitability of environment and enrichment maintenance of the site and will be sentenced next week.

Food standards body Red Tractor terminated the farm’s membership of its scheme following the release of the footage.