Pig Business

Pig Business is an expose of the industrial pig farming practices of the American conglomerate Smithfield Foods.

THE FILM

Tracy, Marchioness of Worcester, whom you might remember as the actress and model Tracy Ward, is an environmental campaigner. Her documentary film Pig Business, which she spent several years making, is a sustained attack on the industrialisation of pig farming. As Tracy Worcester puts it: "agri-business is taking over, poisoning, bankrupting and enslaving." The film aims to show the 'true cost' of 'cheap meat' and traces the abuse of animals, the environmental impact, the effect on small farmers and the threat to health.

THE THREAT

Pig Business was to have been shown on Channel 4 in February 2009, but was pulled after fears that Smithfield Foods would sue. It was eventually broadcast on More 4 in June. You can read about the problems getting the film shown here. You can watch the film on YouTube and on the Channel 4 website. You can also buy it the DVD for £5.

THE SITE

This is an arresting website. As soon as you log on you are hit with a yellow and black screen that is suggestive of some kind of impending catastrophic environmental disaster. The urgency of this site's message has been captured perfectly by its design. The site covers all the major topics covered in the film, providing links to related sites and articles. There's also information on how you can take action, how to get your MP involved and details about upcoming screenings of the film.

9 Dec 09