A Suffolk abattoir has said it is committed to high levels of animal welfare after coming under fire from an animal rights charity.

Animal Justice Project (AJP) has produced undercover footage which it claims shows mistreatment of animals at C & K Meats in Eye.

Farm assurance body RSPCA Assured said the footage dated back more than a year but it was currently under investigation after being presented to it in the last few days. 

The factory - which employs 160 people - is a single-species pig slaughtering facility.

AJP says it uses undercover investigation, pressure campaigning, education, organising and public engagement to try to bring about an end to the use of animals in agriculture.

It says it wants to see the Suffolk slaughtering facility shut down. It has made a series of allegations about the conditions the animals were kept in at the site and about their treatment and transportation - including overcrowding, stress and excessive use of paddles.

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.”

(Image: Animal Justice Project)

C&K Meats said it was investigating the claims.

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."

Farm assurance body Red Tractor said it too was investigating. "We prioritise the welfare of livestock at each stage of life. An investigation is ongoing into the claims and sanctions will be enforced where there is evidence of non-compliance," it said.

AJP director Claire Palmer said: “Despite the Food Standards Agency touting success and reporting low numbers of breaches in UK abattoirs, the reality is that animal suffering continues, largely unseen and unreported."(Image: Animal Justice Project)