The General Directorate of Food and Veterinary Affairs (DGAV) clarified to Lusa that Quinta da Granja, a pig farm accused of mistreating animals, continues to operate, but is implementing corrective measures.
“Following the notification made by DGAV, the operator informed about some corrective actions that it is implementing”, said this general directorate, in response to Lusa.
However, he clarified that only additional measures will be determined, which may include reducing the number of personnel or depopulating the farm, if the conditions required by this entity are not ensured.
At the end of March, RTP released a report with images collected at Quinta da Granja, located in the parish of Almoster, in Santarém, between January and February, in which dead, injured and sick pigs are seen.
Os pavilions present degraded areas and the access corridors to the pits are covered in feces, mud and blood.
A DGAV ordered the immediate presentation of an action plan with corrective measures.
Quinta da Granja, which belongs to ValGrupo, joined Filporc’s animal welfare program in 2023.
As part of this process, it was subject to annual audits, the last one being held in July 2025.
DGAV assured this Tuesday that The defined measures will be adopted quickly and effectively and added that these are based on animal welfare.
On March 27, DGAV carried out a new inspection action at the site to verify the implementation of the measures.
The operator was also notified to urgently indicate and ensure the appropriate destination of the animals.
After the report was released, Filporc assured that it had never witnessed situations like those reported.
The Portuguese Federation of Pig Farmers’ Associations (FPAS) also said, in a statement, that The images released do not represent the sector, which claims to be highly regulated and supervised. However, he regretted that the images stigmatize companies and entrepreneurs.
The Portuguese Meat Industry Association (APIC) clarified that, in Portugal, the slaughter of animals requires the prior approval of an official veterinarian, responsible for ensuring the health inspection of live animals and validating the suitability of meat intended for human consumption.
On March 29, Lusa contacted Valgrupo, but received no response.
