Animal rights activists protested both outside and within Waitrose’s Chester store following a road accident involving a wagon carrying pigs to a slaughterhouse.
The Lincolnshire Echo reported at the time of Wednesday’s incident (January 11) that 20 pigs died after the lorry in which they were travelling jackknifed on the A16 as it was travelling to an abattoir in Spalding operated by Tulip Ltd.
A number of the pigs died in the crash, while more had to be euthanised at the roadside due to the injuries they suffered, a spokesman for Tulip told the newspaper.
Members of Chester Vegan Project held their protest outside and inside Waitrose in Boughton on Saturday afternoon (January 14) because Tulip Ltd is a supplier to the supermarket chain.
They claim all 180 pigs being carried in the lorry eventually met their death after the remainder not killed in the accident or euthanised at the scene were later 'slaughtered'.
But activists say the pigs which survived the accident could not be used for food and so were offered sanctuary. However, a spokeswoman for the Chester group claimed ‘neither the slaughterhouse nor Waitrose responded to our calls and messages’.
The Chronicle has been unable to check this version of events as nobody from Tulip Ltd was available for comment today (Sunday, January 15). Waitrose confirmed Tulip was a supplier but did not wish to comment further.
In an email sent to The Chronicle in advance of the protest, the campaigners said: "Waitrose is the main buyer from Tulip slaughterhouse so we will be holding a memorial vigil outside Waitrose in Chester to pay our respect to the pigs who lost their lives. The whole industry is devastating but the fact that these survivors were shown no mercy is not acceptable. They will not be forgotten and their story will be shared."
Protesters handed out leaflets against the meat industry outside Waitrose in Boughton. They also entered the supermarket where they stood in a line holding placards and chanted ‘There’s no excuse for animal abuse’ as they walked out of the shop.
They were greeted by a female police officer who advised the group they were entitled to hold a peaceful protest but warned them that shouting inside the store was a public order offence. She took contact details for one of the organisers.
Animal rights group PETA has called for a memorial to be erected at the site of the road accident in Cowbit, Lincolnshire.
