Concerns Raised Over Livestock Farm Conditions Amid Hidden Camera Footage
A German animal rights organization, Animal Rights Watch (Ariwa), has released hidden camera footage from 21 farms, allegedly showing poor conditions and mistreatment of animals. The footage, taken between June 2024 and March 2025, was shared with German news outlets Spiegel and Frontal, sparking concerns over the treatment of animals in the livestock industry.
The president of the German Federal Chamber of Veterinarians, Holger Vogel, has reviewed some of the footage and expressed his concerns. “The images are disturbing and some of it is indeed inhumane” Vogel told Spiegel and Frontal.
Ariwa has filed complaints with the relevant authorities and veterinary offices against 12 of the farms, citing mistreatment of animals. Six of the farms, however, did not meet the threshold for a formal complaint, while three were found to be in compliance with animal welfare standards.
Spiegel confronted several farms with the footage and allegations, with some farmers acknowledging the documented incidents. One farmer, for example, admitted to a video showing pigs being beaten, stating that mistakes can happen, but that the rough treatment of animals is not acceptable and not in line with their farm’s values.
Another farmer, however, accused the animal rights group of manipulating the footage, citing an example of a decomposing pig carcass in a narrow gap between a wall and a stall. The farm’s lawyer claimed the carcass was intentionally placed in the gap, while Ariwa denied the allegations, emphasizing the importance of credibility in their work.
Veterinarian Vogel, meanwhile, suggests that a more effective way to monitor animal welfare is to collect and analyze health data, such as injury and organ failure records from slaughterhouses, to identify farms with poor conditions. “Mere straw and fresh air are not a guarantee of good animal welfare” he said.