Behind the polished image of one of the iconic products of Italian gastronomic excellence lies a much darker reality. An undercover investigation carried out by Italian animal rights organizations has brought to light extremely critical living conditions for thousands of pigs raised in Lombardy, in facilities linked to the ham supply chain.
The videos, secretly recorded by the Anti-Vivisection League (LAV) in six large farms in the provinces of Brescia, Cremona, and Mantua, show scenes that investigators describe as “squalid, cruel, and in some cases illegal.” The footage quickly spread across international media, reigniting the debate on animal welfare in Italian intensive farming.
Animals treated like machines
In the footage, injured, sick, and weakened pigs can be seen, often unable to move and without adequate veterinary care. The facilities appear overcrowded, dirty, and foul-smelling, with insufficient ventilation and water supply systems. Some animals are forced to live constantly on concrete, surrounded by their own waste.
Among the most disturbing images are pregnant sows without access to water, pigs with illegally docked tails, carcasses of piglets, and even fetuses left on the ground. In all the documented farms, each housing around 10,000 pigs, the animals live permanently indoors, deprived of any natural behavior.
According to Sean Gifford, spokesperson for Compassion in World Farming, “the conditions seen in these farms are cruel and in many cases unlawful. Pigs are not treated as living beings, but as mere machines for meat production.” This situation, the organization emphasizes, is not an exception but represents a widespread reality in many intensive farms across the European Union.
The response of the Parma Ham Consortium
Called into question, the Parma Ham Consortium distanced itself from the investigation, stating that none of its 145 associated producers has ever been reported or convicted for animal abuse. In an official statement, the Consortium firmly condemned any violation of animal welfare regulations, defining it as “a criminal and intolerable act.”
At the same time, it reiterated that its role concerns product quality and compliance with the PDO production regulations, while animal welfare controls are governed by European and Italian legislation and entrusted to the Ministry of Health and the competent veterinary services. The Consortium finally invited the authors of the footage to make public the names of the farms involved, rejecting the idea that the brand’s notoriety was being used for media purposes.
A structural problem of intensive farming
Beyond individual responsibilities, the investigation raises a broader issue: the intensive farming model, based on maximizing productivity, makes it extremely difficult to ensure decent living conditions for animals. Organizations such as Eurogroup for Animals have long been calling on the European Union and individual states to enforce animal welfare laws more rigorously, as they are often disregarded in practice.
Get informed to make conscious choices
These images remind us how important it is to look beyond the label and question the origin of the products we consume. È lo stesso principio che guida Lovingreen: offrire esclusivamente prodotti che rispettano l’ambiente e gli esseri viventi che lo abitano. From clothing to shoes, from skincare to home furnishings, every choice can contribute to a more ethical and responsible model of consumption. Getting informed is the first step to change.
Credits immagine by. Freepik
