UK meat and poultry company fined for illegal discharge

Investigations by U.K. government body, the Environment Agency, have revealed that waste liquid from a Cranswick Country Foods pork slaughterhouse was accidentally discharged into a nearby watercourse in August of 2019.

Nikonlike, Bigstock
Nikonlike, Bigstock

Investigations by U.K. government body, the Environment Agency, have revealed that waste liquid from a Cranswick Country Foods pork slaughterhouse was accidentally discharged into a nearby watercourse in August of 2019.

The spill affected a rare chalk stream in the eastern English county of Norfolk, reported Eastern Daily Press.

According to this source, the agency found the discharge by Cranswick Country Foods to be accidental. Furthermore, there were no long-lasting adverse impacts on the environment, and the firm took action to prevent a repeat of the drainage escape.

Following the investigation, the company paid a total penalty of GBP90,000 (US$98,000) to the Environment Agency. Of this, GBP15,000 relates to costs arising from the spill, and GBP75,000 will be transferred to local conservation charity, Norfolk Rivers Trust. 

More on Cranswick Group

In its latest annual report for the financial year ending March 26, 2022, Cranswick plc states its overall revenue of almost GBP2.01 billion. This represents a 5.7% increase year-on-year. At GBP129.9 million, pre-tax profit was 13.2% higher than in the previous 12 months.

Founded by a group of farmers in the 1970s, Cranswick has expanded into a vertically integrated organization. Its farming division comprises five businesses. Three are involved in pig production, one rears the firm’s chickens, and feed manufacture is carried out by Crown Milling. Poultry production commenced for Cranswick when it acquired Crown Chicken in 2016.

Over the past year, the company entered the petfood market through the acquisition of dry food manufacturer, Grove Pet Foods. 

In terms of overall revenue, 38% is derived from convenience products, including cooked meats and ingredients. Fresh pork accounts for 26% of revenue, and poultry for 20%. The remaining 16% is generated by the Gourmet Products category, including pastry, sausages, bacon, and gammon.

According to the company's annual report, Cranswick supplies most of the U.K.’s grocery retailers, as well as having a presence in the wholesale and food service sectors. Exports accounted for 8% of the group’s revenue in the 2021-2022 fiscal year.

Page 1 of 1576
Next Page