The video contains graphic images of pigs with bloody sores living in cramped spaces.
“Several piglets were seen actually trying to stay afloat in the manure pit, where some flooring had collapsed, and the flooring just teemed with maggots, and roaches and rats,” says Colin Henstock, a spokesperson for the People for the Ethical of Animals.
Henstock says workers were also cutting off the tails of piglets and throwing them across the barn.
“That’s done without any pain relief at all, as a standard practice in the pig farming industry,” says Henstock.
PETA asked Indiana State Police to investigate the incident.
East Fork is a supplier for slaughterhouse JBS, which is based in Louisville. The company released a statement on its website saying:
"JBS USA was recently made aware of an undercover video filmed at a sow farm in Indiana. After a comprehensive review of the undercover video and consultation with internal and external animal welfare experts, JBS USA has immediately and indefinitely banned East Fork Farms from our supply chain. While we have not directly purchased pigs from this farm, we will not accept any risk that animals from this farm could be a part of our supply chain. We are taking immediate steps to audit our supply chain and ensure compliance with this prohibition. Animal welfare is an absolute priority for our company and our customers. The images in the video do not reflect the high standards we demand from our producer partners and we do not tolerate the mistreatment of the animals under our care or in our supply chain.”
Indiana Public Broadcasting Station, WTIU, reached out to East Fork Farms for a response to the allegations, but have yet to hear back.
WARNING: The video posted by PETA is below and it contains graphic images that some viewers may find disturbing