By Becky Jenkins

When was the last time you saw a pig in a field in Ireland? If you are anything like the average Irish person, the answer is probably either:

(A)  A very long time ago

OR

(B)  Never

This is because, unlike sheep or cows, most Irish pigs spend every moment of their lives indoors in conditions more reminiscent of a horror film than a “farm”.

Advertising by both the meat industry and state bodies such as Bord Bia like to paint a very different picture — capitalising on the green and sustainable image the Irish food sector has cultivated for itself. As a long-time vegan, academic and activist for animals, I had even bought into this marketing scheme to some degree. Green washing and humane washing can be extremely effective. Unfortunately, undercover investigations into six, randomly selected pig farms by the activist groups National Animal Rights Association (NARA) and Animal Rebellion Ireland (ARI) showed that this high welfare image is nothing more than marketing.

The brave activists risked a lot to video record for the public the extreme cruelty pigs endure. We had been warned by veterinarians and others with knowledge of the Irish pig industry that these factory farms would be deeply disturbing. However, this did not prepare us for the sheer horrors we found. Some of the cruelty was completely legal, other practices witnessed were not. This footage was released to the public, media and elected representatives and government officials in two press conferences held in March 2024 and, subsequently, in March 2025.

What we captured on video: Mother pigs (known as sows in the industry) were confined in coffin-like cages known as “crates” or “sow stalls” throughout most of their pregnancy. Sadly, despite being banned in many other countries and jurisdictions, the use of these cages is still permitted in Ireland, where pig welfare lags far behind. These visibly distressed pigs appeared to be in extreme psychological and physical pain. In some cases, the bars in front of the sows were stained with blood, as sows deprived of anything to do and with all their instincts frustrated will chew on the bars.

In other sections of these “farms”, dead and dying piglets and pigs were commonplace, often left in “sick sheds” to suffer without veterinary care. The misery in their eyes would truly haunt anyone who had any degree of empathy.

Another form of routine cruelty rampant on the farms was the cutting off of tails, leaving painful bloody wounds where their tails should have been. Pigs are naturally curious animals and in natural settings spend much of their waking lives exploring their environments. Yet, in barren dark sheds with nothing to explore, they can resort to biting the tails of other pigs. Tail biting is uncommon in better, more natural conditions where pigs’ instincts are not comprehensively frustrated. This routinised mutilation (usually done with no anaesthesia) is banned in the European Union, but pig producers exploit a loophole in the law to increase convenience and profit for them — at the expense of animal welfare.

NARA and ARI have been extremely disappointed with the responses from the meat industry, government and the Irish Farmers Association who have not taken meaningful steps to address the extreme cruelty we documented. However, we are continuing to raise public awareness of this industry, which operates largely in darkness, with little oversight. We are encouraging the public to boycott this industry. Furthermore, TD Paul Murphy, with support from TDs Ruth Coppinger and Richard Boyd Barrett, is in the early stages of introducing a bill, which, if passed, would at least ban some of the worst forms of cruelty witnessed.

How can you help?

1. Spread the word by sharing the footage, which can be found on ARI and NARA’s websites and social media channels.
2. Email your TDs and the Minister for Agriculture to ask them what they are doing to address this injustice.
3. Sign our petition to the Minister for Agriculture.
4. Get involved in ARI and NARA’s efforts. There are so many ways you can help from writing letters to newspapers, to leafletting and attending upcoming demonstrations. There are opportunities for the shyest or most outgoing activist. We are also continuing to raise funds to help us get the word out there. Any donation — small or large — is so appreciated to these two volunteer run organisations.