German law helped labor conditions abroad, minister says

Nik Martin

DW

08/23/24

Germany introduced the supply chain act last year to make companies respect human rights in their global supply chains. During a visit to Pakistan, Development Minister Svenja Schulze said the law was working.

German Development Minister Svenja Schulze tours a garment factory in Lahore, Pakistan

Thomas Imo/BMZ/photothek.de/picture alliance

Germany's Development Minister Svenja Schulze on Friday rejected accusations that the country's supply chain act was "over-demanding" on businesses.

The legislation, which took effect in 2023, seeks to boost the rights of workers in low-cost manufacturing nations, where working conditions are often dangerous and due to fierce competition among suppliers, pay is often paltry and working hours are long.

What did Svenja Schulze say?

During a visit to Pakistan, Schulze told DW that the legislation was helping to ensure fair competition and improve working conditions.

"I don't think it's over-demanding," Schulze said. "I have been able to speak to many of the workers here [in Pakistan] ... women say that they can finally live on the wages they are now getting, that their children can go to school, and not for an exorbitant amount more ... that working conditions are improving."

Schulze said overall, German companies were "very happy that there is now finally fair competition."

"They [firms] pay attention to working conditions, they make sure that the environment is not destroyed ... the supply chain law is now helping."

The minister called on consumers in the West to "look behind what is hidden in the products we buy," adding that workers in developing nations "have a right to work under humane conditions."

Asked whether the legislation was too overwhelming for German enterprises, Schulze dismissed the idea it could be abolished, saying it would in future be "linked to European law."

EU approves supply chain human rights law  01:32

What is Germany's supply chain law?

The supply chain law obliges German firms to step up due diligence with their overseas suppliers to ensure workers' human rights and the environment are respected. It includes guidelines on occupational health and safety, wages and the right to form unions.

Initially, the law applied to companies with at least 3,000 employees in Germany, but this year, it was extended to firms with at least 1,000 employees.

The text was drafted to ensure the responsibility of German companies no longer ends at their own factory gate, but extends throughout the entire supply chain.

Many business sectors rely on low-cost labor from abroad to manufacture goods or parts and provide services to end consumers in the West.

One example is the global garment industry, which employs up to tens of millions of people and makes billions in profits but often exploits its workers.

Despite its positive ambitions, the legislation has been widely criticized by businesses and politicians as too cumbersome.

German development minister in Pakistan for supply chain law  04:46

German Development Ministry faces new cuts

Meanwhile, the German Development Ministry has been one of the biggest casualties from the government's austerity measures, enacted due to falling tax receipts from a lackluster economy post-COVID.

Over the past four years, the ministry's budget has been slashed by 16% and funding for humanitarian aid has fallen by 13%, the Berlin-based association of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) VENRO found.

The neoliberal Free Democratic Party (FDP), one of three parties of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's governing coalition, has been pressing for significant cuts to Schulze's budget and even for her ministry to be abolished.

The FDP holds the Finance Ministry portfolio and the country's finance minister, Christian Lindner, is the business-friendly party's leader.

Schulze admitted that the budget pressure was a "challenge" but that she was fighting for additional funds.

This article was written from an interview conducted by DW's Katharina Kroll in German.

Unions' fury as college rejects plan to save The Glasgow Trade Union Education Centre


Sonya Cassidy and Rab Wilson at an EIS Rally

MORNINGSTAR

AUGUST 23, 2024


THE Scottish TUC urged City of Glasgow College bosses to “see sense” today after they rejected proposals to save the institution’s trade union Education Centre.

Unions and campaigners vowed to step up their push to save the centre, which has helped educate thousands of trade union reps, shop stewards and members over 30 years.

In May college managers announced the centre was earmarked for closure, claiming it was financially unsustainable.

They have now rejected an alternative business plan put forward by the STUC this summer.

A spokesperson for the Campaign to Save The Glasgow Trade Union Education Centre said: “There is no educational or financial reason for closing the centre.

“With his actions, college principal Paul Little has shown his true colours. He is an anti-trade union principal who will do anything he can to undermine the trade union movement.”

STUC general secretary Roz Foyer said the federation had written to the principal and Cabinet Secretary today outlining its concerns at the lack of progress in discussions.

“We have presented a viable plan which would generate a surplus for the centre and provide the foundation to consolidate the future of the trade union centre, helping sustain it for many years to come,” she added.

A City of Glasgow College spokesman said: “The TUC Education Centre is currently operating at an annual loss to the college of circa £150,000, and unless additional, long-term funding is forthcoming it is financially unsustainable.”

“In our discussions with the STUC and TUC they have not yet been able to come up with a viable plan to help safeguard the Centre's future, but further talks are scheduled and we remain hopeful that an agreement can be reached which makes the Centre financially sustainable.”

AI is not a “cure-all solution” for the NHS, expert warns

by Sofia Villegas
23 August 2024
@SofiaVillegas_1


NHS staff divided on the potential risks and benefits AI could bring | Alamy

Artificial intelligence (AI) can be “transformative” for healthcare, but still faces “lingering doubts”, InnoScot Health has said.

NHS Scotland's partner has said there is “lot of hard work to be done" for NHS workers to trust the technology is safe, ethical, and does not threaten jobs.

Executive chair of InnoScot Health Graham Watson, has urged for more real-world evidence to prove “beyond doubt” the long-term potential of the cutting-edge technology in health and care systems.

Watson said: “Arguably, healthcare with its rich and growing wellspring of data drawn from the likes of clinical studies, imaging, and wearables is the perfect use case for AI when compared to other sectors. The potential is vast, but there remain risk factors.

“The excitement around it must also be tempered in our current challenging climate of renewal and transformation where human expertise is still paramount and to which any technology must remain only supplementary.”

Watson's comments come after a survey showed NHS staff are divided on the benefits AI could bring to their work.



 

Graham Watson | InnoScot Health

Gathering more than 1,200 responses, a survey by the Health Foundation found a similar number of workers said their jobs would be mostly threatened or improved by AI, with midwives, nurses and staff in administrative and clerical roles less likely to welcome it compared to doctors and other health professionals.

Meanwhile, more than two-thirds of those surveyed said AI would make them feel “more distant” from patients.

However, a majority – 57 per cent – said they look forward to using AI as part of their jobs, making it “clear” AI has also gained “significant support”, Watson said.


He continued: “AI may well become a large piece in tomorrow’s healthcare innovation puzzle, but it should not be considered a cure-all solution, particularly so when health boards differ in the infrastructure available to host its capabilities and, by extension, their approach to both integrating it and successfully delivering bespoke training for staff.

“If or when AI technologies gain workforce, patient, and regulatory approval, adoption could furthermore be slow, meaning that expectations must be managed in the short-term.

“Neither should anyone sideline concerns of NHS staff and patients around AI’s ethics, accuracy of decision making, or care becoming less human-led.”

He continued: “For decision makers considering these survey results, it appears that the successful introduction of AI into healthcare will require human presence to remain to the fore, and fundamentally its enabling technology must deliver proven results in order to command both patient and staff confidence.”


Holyrood provides comprehensive coverage of Scottish politics, offering award-winning reporting and analysis: 

  Senior doctors in Northern Ireland vote to accept pay offer

Northern Ireland Consultants Committee chairman Dr David Farren said consultants feel the offer is a ‘positive first step towards full pay restoration’ (PA)

By Rebecca Black, PA

Today 

Senior doctors in Northern Ireland have agreed to accept a pay offer.

The British Medical Association’s Northern Ireland Consultants Committee (NICC) accepted after members voted “overwhelmingly” in favour of the deal.

It came following pay negotiations after consultants received a “credible” pay offer from the Department of Health, leading them to suspend strike action planned for June.

The offer is described as including a revised consultant pay scale with uplifts at all pay points, the highest percentage uplift in the UK this year, and the highest consultant starting salary in the UK.

However junior doctors in the region remain in dispute with the Department of Health over pay and the Northern Ireland Specialists, Associate Specialist and Specialty Doctor Committee is moving towards a formal ballot of members over pay later this year.

NICC chairman Dr David Farren said consultants feel the offer is a “positive first step towards full pay restoration”.

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“Consultants bear ultimate responsibility for patient care, they are key to addressing the waiting list crisis and lead on training doctors and clinical innovation, yet in Northern Ireland their pay did not reflect this level of responsibility,” he said.

“This deal begins the process of making our pay more attractive and competitive with our UK counterparts, which is critical at a time of chronic workforce shortages here.”

Dr Farren added: “While we are glad to have resolved this particular pay dispute, it is regrettable that it took other UK nations reaching pay deals and an overwhelming yes vote for strike action before the department made a credible offer to open pay negotiations.

“It should never have reached that point. Valuing the skills of our workforce and ultimately protecting patient care was at the core of this dispute.

“The department must now demonstrate that it values doctors by continuing to work with us on reversing years of below-inflation pay awards and to improve our terms and conditions.

“That includes timely and prompt payment of this pay award and all future pay body recommended uplifts.”

Consultant doctors in BMA vote to accept pay offer from Stormont Health Department

Friday 23 August 2024

 

Protests have been held by BMA members.

Credit: UTV

Consultant doctors who are members of the British Medical Association in Northern Ireland have voted to accept a pay offer from Stormont's Department of Health.

Over 94% of consultants voted to accept an average uplift of 5.26%.

The uplift is in addition to the 6% already awarded in the 2023/24 pay review and is separate to any subsequent pay award in 24/25.

Consultants in NI will now have the highest starting salary in the UK.

"It means that doctors will not be leaving Northern Ireland for financial reasons to go elsewhere in the UK," said Dr David Farren, chair of BMA in Northern Ireland.

"We are no longer on the back foot when it comes to UK nations, we are firmly in the middle.

"Salaries still are higher in the Republic of Ireland, for example and elsewhere across the world, people will have their own reasons for moving but what this does is make it less likely, it increases the friction for people who are considering moving for financial reasons."

Although the dispute may have ended for consultants, it's a different story for junior doctors.

They have taken strike action over pay and remain in discussion with the Health Department, meanwhile their specialist doctor colleagues, who work in more service provision roles, are working towards balloting for industrial action.

UK

How trade unions have responded to news of energy price cap increase

Basit Mahmood 

Today

Left Foot Forward

Heating and electricity bills will rise again this winter. That means energy companies will continue to rake in obscene profits, while working people struggle and pensioners shiver without their fuel allowance."

The energy price cap is set to rise yet again to an average annual £1,717 from October, the industry regulator Ofgem has announced.

Ofgem announced the widely expected hike earlier today, noting it would add around £12 a month to an average bill. Chief Executive Jonathan Brearley said in a statement, “We know that this rise in the price cap is going to be extremely difficult for many households.”

The announcement has been condemned by charities and anti-poverty campaigners across the country, with households continuing to struggle with the cost of living.

Meanwhile, the boss of Ofgem has been slammed as “disgraceful” after explaining that the reason the price cap is being lifted by 10% is to allow energy companies to make a “small profit”.

Brearley was asked for the reasoning behind lifting the cap by 10% on BBC Breakfast, to which he replied: “The main reason is that the price cap is designed in a way that energy companies can recover fair costs and a small profit, but no more than that.”

His justification for the rise in the price cap has caused widespread condemnation especially among the trade union movement.

Trade union Unite, slammed the obscene profits being made by energy companies. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Heating and electricity bills will rise again this winter. That means energy companies will continue to rake in obscene profits, while working people struggle and pensioners shiver without their fuel allowance.

“These are the wrong choices when there is an overwhelming case for taking energy out of the hands of the profiteers and owning it ourselves.”

Andy Prendergast, GMB National Secretary, said: “The price cap increase is a reflection of 14 years of failed policies and a lack of investment for which households are paying a heavy price.

“It’s encouraging that the new Government is taking the first steps to sorting this out, but it has to be based on tried and tested methods, not fantasy solutions.”

The RMT meanwhile has slammed energy companies for resisting a windfall tax.

Over 40 companies have warned that plans for an increased windfall tax threatened investment in all forms of domestic energy, including renewables despite having already slashed over 200,000 jobs and actively blocked publicly funded measures like an offshore training passport.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch described corporate complaints against a small rise in a windfall tax first implemented by the Tories as rank hypocrisy.

“We are only talking about a three per cent increase of windfall taxes on oil and gas profits from to 78 per cent to bring the UK in line with Norway.

“When the public are facing a 10 per cent increase in their energy bills, a three per cent increase in tax on oil and gas profits will be seen as entirely reasonable.

“These companies should concentrate on investment in people and skills and developing positive engagement with trade unions, and supporting the extension of sectoral collective bargaining rights for all workers across the supply chain.

“This is the key to a successful energy transition as oil and gas volumes are gradually reduced for alternative greener fuels in the years ahead.”

Basit Mahmood is editor of Left Foot Forward

UK

Millions at risk if DWP axes household support fund

Signage for the Department for Work & Pensions in Westminster, London

 Elizabeth Short

MORNING STAR

Friday, August 23, 2024

MILLIONS of people will be unable to access crisis support from their local council as of October, a charity warned today.

A report by End Furniture Poverty says that some 17.8 million will be cut off from support if the Household Support Fund (HSF) is closed on September 30 as planned.

The fund was created in 2021 to support families through the cost-of-living crisis, receiving £1 billion from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) each year.

Through the HSF, councils could provide struggling households with payments of up to £290 to help with the expense of paying energy bills and buying food, furniture and essential items.

Thirty-six local authorities have already closed their local welfare scheme and a further eight say theirs will close on October 1 if they are unable to obtain additional government funding.

As councils face increased financial strain, they are ever more reliant on the fund to “prop up” local welfare assistance schemes, End Furniture Poverty found.

Drawing on data from freedom of information requests sent to local authorities, the charity found that 65 per cent of all funding for local welfare assistance in England comes from HSF and 18 of the schemes are 100 per cent funded by HSF.

Some 44 per cent of the HSF budget in 2023-24 in England was used to provide holiday food vouchers for families receiving free school meals, but 22 authorities said they would not continue without the support.

End Furniture Poverty head of policy Claire Donovan said: “We know the Household Support Fund is a sticking plaster, but we desperately need one last extension of funding while an urgent review of local authority crisis support is carried out.

“The government has much to do and we understand that funding is tight, but investing in local authority crisis support is vital to save families from going under — and it is investment that saves the public purse across the NHS, social care and much more.”

Once the HSF ends, no crisis support will be available in 44 local authority areas, effectively impacting one in three local councils.

Huge American spy drone arrives in England for the first time

Air
By Lisa West
- August 23, 2024

A U.S. RQ-4 Global Hawk has temporarily deployed to Royal Air Force Fairford in England, marking the first time this aircraft has been stationed in the UK, according to a press release from U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA).

The deployment is part of ongoing efforts to diversify operating locations and strengthen integration with NATO Allies.

The Global Hawk will conduct operations through international and Allied airspace, adhering to international norms and standards. This deployment, the U.S. Air Force say, is also a key step in the implementation of their agile combat employment concept, which allows aircraft to be dispersed from traditional bases to enhance survivability.

The 501st Combat Support Wing at RAF Fairford, which has supported similar deployments in the past, including the operation of U.S. B-52 Stratofortress aircraft for Bomber Task Force 24-3 in June, is supporting this mission.

According to the release, the support and execution of these missions highlight the U.S. commitment to NATO Allies and partners and help establish conditions for future operations within the U.S. European Command area of responsibility.

The RQ-4 Global Hawk is a high-altitude, long-endurance, remotely piloted aircraft with an integrated sensor suite that provides global all-weather, day or night intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capability.

According to the U.S. Air Force:

“Global Hawk’s mission is to provide a broad spectrum of ISR collection capability to support joint combatant forces in worldwide peacetime, contingency and wartime operations. The Global Hawk provides persistent near-real-time coverage using imagery intelligence (IMINT), signals intelligence (SIGINT) and moving target indicator (MTI) sensors.

Global Hawk is currently fielded in three distinct blocks. Seven Block 10 aircraft were procured, but were retired from the Air Force inventory in 2011. Block 20s were initially fielded with IMINT-only capabilities, but three Block 20s have been converted to an EQ-4 communication relay configuration, carrying the Battlefield Airborne Communication Node (BACN) payload.

Block 30 is a multi-intelligence platform that simultaneously carries electro-optical, infrared, synthetic aperture radar (SAR), and high and low band SIGINT sensors. Block 30 Initial Operating Capability (IOC) was declared in August 2011. Eighteen Block 30s are currently fielded, supporting every geographic combatant command as well as combat missions in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom/ New Dawn. Block 30s also supported Operation Odyssey Dawn in Libya and humanitarian relief efforts during Operation Tomodachi in Japan.

The system offers a wide variety of employment options. The long range and 30+ hour endurance allow tremendous flexibility in meeting mission requirements. In 2014, an RQ-4 Block 40 flew a 34.3 hour flight, setting the endurance record for longest unrefueled flight by a U.S. Air Force aircraft.”

Edinburgh becomes first Scottish council to ban fireworks

Firework Control Zones will be enforced in Niddrie, Calton Hill, Seafield and Balerno.

STV NewsThe new rules make it a criminal offence to use a firework in a zone on specific dates.

Donald Turvill, Local Democracy Reporter
Posted in City of Edinburgh

Setting off fireworks will become illegal in four Edinburgh communities this Bonfire Night after councillors agreed on which areas to designate as ‘control zones’.

Firework Control Zones will be enforced in Niddrie, Calton Hill, Seafield and Balerno from November 1-10 in a bid to crack down on anti-social behaviour and minimise the impact they have on animals and vulnerable people.

Councillors rejected calls for a city-wide ban after Scottish Government officials said they would be “likely to challenge” the move.

Furthermore the fire service and police said they would struggle to resource and enforce a Firework Control Zones (FCZ) covering the entire city boundary.

The new rules make it a criminal offence to use a firework in a zone on specific dates, unless as part of a display licensed by the local authority.

While it’s hoped they will discourage disorder and violence towards emergency workers seen in recent years around Bonfire Night, it’s anticipated this will continue regardless.

Last November riot police, fire fighters and ambulance workers were attacked by around 100 youths with petrol bombs and fireworks in Niddrie, while there was similar trouble in Southhouse and Sighthill.

David Morrison, station commander with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, told councillors: “Whether there’s a firework control zone or not, year on year we’re still going to continue getting the anti-social behaviour from the ones that are non-compliant.”

Asked whether the service could cope with the introduction of a city-wide FCZ, Mr Morrison said: “To answer simply, no.

“We know we’re stretched to the limit year on year, to add this additional demand on us it would be remiss of me to say yes that will be no problem.”

However SNP councillors alongside the Greens backed enforcing the crackdown across the capital to avoid confusing residents and stigmatising communities, as they debated the new powers at the culture and communities committee on Friday, August 23.

Cllr Kate Campbell, SNP, said: “We think it will be very confusing for people for there to be small areas where literally along the road it’s a criminal offence to have fireworks in your garden but further along the road it’s not.

“We think that’s quite a difficult position. I personally feel there might be stigma attached to certain communities, but that also in doing this we’re not necessarily going to address the problem.

“For example the Niddrie proposal is for a very specific number of streets where we’ve seen disorder happen on those streets in previous years but also on other years we’ve seen disorder happen in other areas of the community.

“It seems like a bit of a contradiction to say in some areas of the city this is a criminal activity and in other areas it’s not.”

A report said the Scottish Government “emphasised that the legislation was not intended to enable a FCZ to cover an entire local authority area and have indicated that, should one be implemented, they are likely to challenge this decision”.

Val Walker, Labour culture and communities convener, said: “The guidance issued by the Scottish Government is clear that the zones are smaller zones within the area and not the whole city.

“What weighs on me is the impact on our fire and police services, who have quite rightly… made it clear they cannot resource it.

“This will be the first year of implementing these controls and the experience of this year will give us the basis to review that to have a longer consultation period to have more people, groups and organisations involved.”

FCZs are designed to “support a cultural shift in how fireworks and other pyrotechnic articles are used,” however are not intended to be a “catch-all solution to deal with issues involving fireworks,” according to the Scottish Government, which states the powers should be utilised alongside other preventative and enforcement tools such as dispersal zones and community engagement.

The committee voted six to five in favour of four individual FCZs which were suggested in applications made by various organisations.

An application for a zone covering Balerno was made by the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA), while Edinburgh Cat and Dog home supported one for Seafield, Friends of Calton Hill for the city centre and Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership on behalf of service users and care staff in Niddrie.

Ahead of November the council will notify residents of the exact boundaries of the agreed zones and launch an awareness campaign to ensure communities are aware of the new rules.

Scotland will ‘always support’ Ukraine’s independence, vows Swinney

It came during a ceremony in Edinburgh to mark the anniversary of Ukraine’s independence from Russia.

PA MediaFirst Minister John Swinney said Scotland will ‘always support’ Ukraine’s independence
PA Media

John Swinney has made clear that Scotland will “always support” an independent Ukraine, as he condemned Russia’s “unlawful, barbaric” invasion.

The First Minister also offered his support to Ukrainians who have come to Scotland for “sanctuary” from the fighting in their homeland.

He made the comments as he addressed a ceremony in Edinburgh to mark Ukrainian independence day.

The ceremony, held outside the City Chambers, saw members of the Ukrainian community come together to commemorate those who have been killed in the conflict, while also marking the anniversary of the signing of Ukraine’s declaration of independence on August 24, 1991.

Speaking at the event, Mr Swinney stressed his support for “Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity” as he hailed the country’s “unity” and “heroism in defending it”.

The First Minister told members of the Ukrainian community: “Please know that my thoughts are with you – your friends, your families, your neighbours in Ukraine – today and every day.

“Those fighting on the front line, those who have given their lives defending the outcome of the 1991 referendum, and all those innocent lives that have been upended, or lost, as a result of Russia’s unlawful, barbaric and wasteful invasion of Ukraine.

“Scotland’s thoughts remain with you, and will be reflected in our deeds, for as long as takes.

“Until there is enduring peace in Europe, until we regain Ukrainian sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity once more, we stand with Ukraine.”

UK
Workers hit sick pigs at RSPCA-backed slaughterhouse supplying pork to Tesco and other supermarkets

Animals filmed with wounds and frothing at mouth in horrific sign of stress, say activists who shot undercover footage

Jane Dalton

THE INDEPENDENT UK

AUGUST 22, 2024

Footage shows animals with hernias, panic, and being struck in final moments


Workers were filmed hitting suffering pigs at an RSPCA-backed slaughterhouse supplying pork to Tesco and other supermarkets.

The scenes of cruelty were captured in secret filming at C&K Meats in Eye, Suffolk, which kills up to 1,400 pigs a day in gas chambers – both intensively-reared and free-range.


The abattoir, which is endorsed by RSPCA Assured scheme, sells pork to Tesco, Co-op, Aldi, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Asda and Lidl among others. Some of it, such as bacon and sausages, is sold under differently branded labels.


C&K Meats says it takes animal welfare seriously, with regular inspections by vets.

Workers were seen striking the pigs (Animal Justice Project)

But the Animal Justice Project (AJP) organisation, which shot the footage, said that despite CCTV being on site and auditors being present, the footage suggested numerous apparent breaches of animal-welfare laws including:

Pigs being struck with instruments, causing pain and distress
Visible injuries, lameness, wounds, abnormal growths and other deformities
Unclean pens and poor hygiene practices
Severe stress indicators, such as frothing at the mouth and heavy panting

Ayesha Smart, a barrister specialising in animal-welfare law, said the footage appeared to show ”multiple and clear breaches” of statutory welfare regulations.

The AJP investigator recorded a worker at C&K Meats saying: “Nothing we do for these pigs is for their benefit. From the moment they arrive, everything is geared towards their death.”

Another worker was recorded saying: “They do wind you up at times; anyone would think they didn’t want to die [laughs].”

A pig frantically tries to escape by climbing over others as they are herded to carbon dioxide chambers (AJP)

Workers struck pigs with their hands and with paddles, even though the animals had nowhere to go, and pigs were rushed to the gas chambers with excessive force, the witnesses claimed.


Alick Simmons, a former UK government deputy chief vet, said: “There were several instances in the footage where the use of the paddle for short periods verged on the excessive.

“It is an offence to strike or kick animals in a slaughterhouse lairage.”

Footage showed some pigs frothing at the mouth and heavily panting. One pig unable to move was killed on arrival.

The flooring was said to be soiled (AJP)

The investigators claimed pigs were forced to lie in faeces in filthy and overcrowded pens where they could not move freely, leading to fights and increased stress.


AJP claimed pigs arrived with injuries and in poor health, as complaints from staff about transportation delays suggested prolonged periods without food and water.

Dr Simmons added that the transport of unfit animals and pigs dying in transit suggests to him that insufficient care was taken when selecting pigs for transport.

He said that during unloading, several lame pigs and some otherwise apparently unfit to travel because of suspected respiratory distress and large umbilical hernias were seen.

He said that in his opinion “these animals should not have been transported and should have been treated or killed humanely at the point of origin”.

Many animals were thought to have spent long periods without food or water (AJP)

C&K Meats’ website says the company takes great pride in its high animal-welfare standards. “Animals are treated kindly and with respect from the moment they arrive. They are slaughtered quickly and humanely and we are one of the very few independent abattoirs to use gas stunning on animals,” it says.

But Ms Smart said she believes the findings indicated “recurrent breaches directly related to physical abuse, undue distress and neglect of the pigs’ welfare”.

Alice Brough, a pig vet-turned-activist, claimed: “This is typical of a UK abattoir. Enough pigs are found in acute distress, expressing fear and pain, to indicate that this is not an isolated or infrequent issue.”

Some animals were clearly so unwell they were shot dead on arrival and discarded (AJP)

Law firm Advocates for Animals is pressing authorities to take enforcement action.

It is understood a third-party audit took place earlier this week and no major concerns were found.

But AJP claims there is “a troubling pattern of regulatory failures and illegal practices” in slaughterhouses, because official data suggests fewer than 0.1 per cent of animals killed were involved in breaches of regulations last year. The organisation said it believed the true number was much higher.

The Independent has exposed repeated violations of animal-welfare laws and guidelines behind closed doors, including cows being beaten with electric prods and pigs cut while still alive; pigs being beaten to death on a free-range farm; sheep being killed without being properly stunned and thrown around; chickens collapsing “in agony” and piglets’ heads being smashed against walls.

Workers hit the pigs to get them to leave the lorry (AJP)

A spokesperson for C&K meats said: “We are committed to ensuring high levels of animal welfare and take the subject matter very seriously. Independent official veterinarians employed by the government oversee our activities on a daily basis to ensure we continually meet animal-welfare standards.

“Strict policies are in place and our compliance with those aforementioned standards and policies is also regularly audited by internal and external bodies, both announced and unannounced.”

A Tesco spokesperson said: “We take animal welfare extremely seriously and expect all our suppliers to adhere to our high welfare standards. Any poor practice has no place in our supply chain, and having been made aware of this upsetting footage, we are urgently investigating with our supplier.”

Most supermarkets sell pork from the abattoir, some of it under differently branded labels (AJP)

Andrew Opie, of the British Retail Consortium, said: “Our members know how important animal welfare is to their customers and take their responsibilities to animal welfare very seriously with regular audits being carried out to ensure that expected standards are being met. This is being investigated and action will be taken if any breaches to the high animal welfare standards our members uphold are confirmed.”

Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, the Co-op and Aldi aligned themselves with that statement. Asda and Lidl did not respond to requests to comment.

The slaughterhouse kills up to 1,400 animals a day (AJP)

An RSPCA Assured spokesperson said: “Animal welfare is our absolute priority and we always investigate any allegations of poor welfare.

“As soon as we were made aware of the footage, which was taken more than a year ago, we launched an immediate and urgent investigation.

“As an investigation is ongoing, we are unable to comment further at this time.

“We take complaints of poor animal welfare very seriously and would always urge anyone with any concerns to contact us straight away, without delay. This is so that we can immediately investigate, visit the premises and address any welfare issues as a priority.”