The animal association L214 announced, Thursday, November 27, that it had filed a complaint against two pig farms located in Brittany, co-managed by Bernard Rouxel, president of Cooperl, a heavyweight in the French pork industry, and against distributor Carrefour.
The complaint, which was filed on Wednesday in a Saint-Malo court and which Agence France-Presse (AFP) obtained a copy of, targets the two farms for “persecution” on animals as well as mass distribution brands, which sell their products, to “deceptive commercial practices”.
The Department of Population Protection (DDPP) also carried out an inspection on Wednesday at one of the two farms, according to a press release from the Côtes d’Armor prefecture, and there were no non-compliance. The two intensive farms targeted by L214 are located in Plénée-Jugon and Eréac (Côtes-d’Armor) and can raise up to 8,000 pigs.
The animal rights association cited in its complaint the tail docking of pigs and the grinding of their teeth, a process that is only permitted as a last resort and is otherwise systematic.
According to L214, photos and videos are also displayed “absence of care and isolation of sick or injured animals”A “lack of water”placement of animals “in an unclean facility” with lots of cockroaches running around on the walls.
Cooperl and Carrefour reacted to the allegations
“By symbolically targeting Cooperl’s president, L214 is trying to undermine the ambitious policies developed by our cooperative in terms of sustainability”the company replied in a press release.
Cooperl, which is not the target of the complaint and is chaired by Mr. Rouxel since 2023, also stated that plans to combat pests, including cockroaches, were implemented at both farms and that injured animals were well cared for and isolated for treatment.
With more than 4,500 farmer members and 7,500 employees, Cooperl presents itself as the number one pig producer in France. The company supplies ham and bacon to Carrefour supermarkets and includes brands such as Madrange and Paul Prédault.
Contacted by AFP, Carrefour described it as“completely unacceptable” a practice condemned by the association. The distributor announced the immediate termination of its supplies from the Plénée-Jugon farm of Carrefour brand products as well as an audit carried out by external experts.
“At the end of the audit and conclusion of the investigation carried out by the veterinary service, Carrefour will decide on the possibility of delisting this supplier completely and also reserves the right to file a complaint”also write the distributor.
