Footage from nine pig farms in Aragón, Spain reveals extreme suffering and government indifference
Animal Equality has documented new evidence of systematic suffering in the pig industry in Spain, the biggest pig farming country in the European Union.
An investigation carried out on nine pig breeding, maternity, and ‘fattening’ farms in Aragón shows scenes of cruelty and neglect that continue to be ignored by the government of Pedro Sánchez and the Minister of Agriculture, Luis Planas.
The images show dead and dying piglets piled up in corridors and wheelbarrows; mutilations without pain-relief, such as tail-docking and castration; and mother pigs locked in tiny cages, unable to move, biting the bars until they cause bleeding wounds.
The investigation also reveals extremely unsanitary conditions: food and water contaminated with excrement, decomposing carcasses, and the presence of rats and other animals inside the facilities. Cases of prolapses, ball-sized tumours, lameness, and laboured breathing – all of which are clear signs of disease and suffering – were also documented.
What we have documented in Aragón is the consequence of an industry that treats animals as disposable objects and a government that prefers to look the other way
— Anna Mulá, Legislative Advocacy Manager at Animal Equality
Spain, leader in pig cruelty
Spain is the largest producer of pig-meat in the European Union, with almost five million tonnes ‘produced’ in 2024, more than one-quarter of the EU’s total production. In that year alone, more than 53 million pigs were slaughtered.
Despite this, inspections are almost non-existent: just 1% to 3% of farms are inspected each year throughout Spain, as required by the Ministry’s Programme, most of them with prior notice.
Political indifference
Despite years of complaints and evidence presented by Animal Equality and other organisations, President Pedro Sánchez and Minister Luis Planas remain indifferent to this reality. The power of the meat lobby and the lack of political action perpetuate the impunity of an industry that bases its profits on cruelty and neglect.
The indifference of Pedro Sánchez and Luis Planas keeps an industry based on cruelty intact. Spain cannot continue to be the shame of Europe
—Javier Moreno, Co-founder of Animal Equality
You can take action
Investigations show that animal suffering is the norm in the pig industry.
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