Cranswick subsidiary and farm manager summoned to court following Animal Justice Project investigation

Animal Justice Project has announced that Elsham Linc Limited, a subsidiary of Cranswick Country Foods Plc, and North Moor Farm Manager Andy Pentecost have been summonsed to appear before Nottingham Justice Centre on 26 August 2026. This follows the organisation’s undercover investigation at North Moor Farm in Lincolnshire.

Lawyers for Animals are bringing the prosecution, following an assessment of evidence gathered during Animal Justice Project’s undercover investigation at the site between February and March 2024, together with subsequent expert veterinary review.

Elsham Linc Limited faces 23 alleged offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, the Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing (England) Regulations 2015 and the Animal By-Products (Enforcement) (England) Regulations 2013.

Pentecost faces seven alleged offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and the Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing (England) Regulations 2015.

The charges follow Animal Justice Project’s 2025 publication of undercover footage from North Moor Farm, which prompted widespread national media coverage and renewed scrutiny of welfare standards within the British pig industry.

Claire Palmer, director of Animal Justice Project, said:

For more than two years, we have pursued accountability for what our investigators documented inside North Moor Farm. After the authorities chose not to prosecute, we took the extraordinary step of supporting a private prosecution because we believe these allegations deserve to be heard in court.

This is a significant moment, not only for the pigs whose suffering was documented, but for corporate accountability within the UK’s pig industry. No company should be beyond the reach of the law where there is evidence that animal welfare legislation may have been breached.

As these proceedings are now before the courts, we will respect the judicial process and will not comment further on the allegations. We hope this case marks the beginning of greater accountability and transparency across the industry.

Ayesha Smart, legal director of Lawyers for Animals, said:

Having carefully considered the available evidence, we have concluded that there is sufficient evidence to bring these charges and that it is in the public interest to prosecute.

As criminal proceedings are now active, Animal Justice Project will not comment further on the evidence or allegations before the court.

Featured image via Animal Justice Project