ALAN AND RACHEL ELVIDGE'S HORRIFIC PIG FARM ABUSE IN GILMORTON REVEALED

In a case that has shocked animal welfare advocates and the local community alike, siblings Alan and Rachel Elvidge, both involved in the management of pig farming operations in Gilmorton, have been found guilty of serious breaches of the Animal Welfare Act. The conviction stems from a series of inspections and investigations into the conditions at their farm, Flat House Farm, located on Peatling Parva Road in Gilmorton, near Lutterworth.

Alan Elvidge, born August 1978, and Rachel Elvidge, born April 1970, are co-directors of Elvidge Farms Limited. They faced charges related to the neglect and mistreatment of pigs kept at their farm, which was historically operated by their late father, Richard Elvidge. The case was brought forward by Leicestershire Trading Standards following a detailed inspection of the farm in September 2020. Although initially charged with 66 counts, most of these charges were dropped after Richard Elvidge’s death, as he was the sole operative at the farm during the period in question.

The farm, situated in Gilmorton near Lutterworth, was home to approximately 8,000 pigs and 800 breeding sows. It became the focus of an undercover investigation conducted by the animal rights organization Viva! Campaigns. Over a period of four months, activists placed hidden cameras throughout the farm’s sheds, many of which bore the Red Tractor logo, a certification that claims to guarantee traceability, safety, and responsible production of meat products. The footage captured by these cameras revealed appalling conditions and widespread neglect.

Viva! Campaigns released disturbing footage showing animals suffering from severe ailments, including bleeding hernias, deformed limbs, prolapses, rectal strictures, and bloated stomachs. Many pigs were seen with open wounds, bites, and injuries inflicted by other animals driven to madness by the inhumane environment. The footage also depicted sick and dying animals left to endure pain, with some writhing in agony in confined spaces. The organization reported that dead and dying animals were often left in walkways or discarded in various locations across the farm, contravening government guidelines on the proper handling of fallen stock.

One particularly distressing scene showed a severely bloated pig left in a walkway with no access to food or water, only to be drenched by rainwater dripping down the walls. The footage also captured feral cats feeding on weak or dead piglets, with some dragging their limp bodies into the walkways to feast. Workers at the farm were observed allegedly abusing animals aggressively, including a horrifying act where a worker was seen 'knocking' piglets to kill them by slamming their heads onto metal bars within their cages. Discarded body parts and dead piglets were found in various parts of the farm during multiple visits by the activists.

Viva! Campaigns’ spokeswoman described the conditions as “barbaric,” emphasizing the presence of animals suffering from serious health issues and the lack of adequate veterinary care. She detailed the scene of young piglets left to die in cells, writhing in pain, with their eyes rolling in their sockets. The organization’s footage also showed cats preying on sick piglets, which were sometimes eaten alive, and dragging their bodies into the walkways. These practices, according to Viva!, blatantly violated UK government guidelines on the proper handling of fallen stock and animal welfare.

Juliet Gellatley, founder and director of Viva!, condemned the treatment of animals at the farm as “appalling” and submitted the footage to the RSPCA, Leicestershire County Council Trading Standards, and the Red Tractor scheme. Following these revelations, the farm was placed under investigation, and Red Tractor removed Elvidge Farms Limited from its certification scheme, launching its own inquiry. Despite the extensive evidence gathered by Viva!, the footage was not directly used in the court proceedings, which representatives of the organization criticized as an indication that current laws do not sufficiently protect farm animals.

During the sentencing hearing, District Judge Nicholas Watson outlined the initial wide-ranging charges against Elvidge Farms Limited, including keeping pigs in unsuitable conditions, overcrowding, and maintaining dark, dirty environments with inadequate water and stimulation. However, these charges were ultimately discontinued in Crown Court due to insufficient evidence or because pursuing them was deemed not in the public interest. The court fined Elvidge Farms Limited £4,500, with a maximum surcharge of £181, payable within three months. The company received a 10% discount for pleading guilty. As a corporation, Elvidge Farms Limited cannot face imprisonment or disqualification from rearing animals, so no custodial or community service penalties were imposed.

The court also heard that the farm, once generating an annual turnover of around £1 million, has since ceased trading as a pig farm due to financial difficulties. Following the court proceedings, the Elvidge siblings left through a back entrance to avoid media attention. They have been given a three-month window to settle the fine. The case has drawn widespread condemnation, highlighting ongoing concerns about animal cruelty and the effectiveness of current regulatory frameworks in protecting farm animals in the UK.