L214 Files Complaint Against Breton Pig Farms and Carrefour Over Animal Welfare Concerns

French animal rights group L214 has lodged a legal complaint against two pig farms in Brittany, managed by Bernard Rouxel, president of Cooperl, and the retailer Carrefour for alleged animal mistreatment and deceptive commercial practices. The complaint, filed on November 26, 2025, in the Saint-Malo judicial court, accuses the farms—capable of housing up to 8,000 pigs—of employing controversial practices such as tail docking and tooth grinding, which are supposed to be last-resort measures. L214 also claims to possess evidence of neglect toward sick or injured animals, inadequate water access, and unsanitary conditions, including cockroach infestations. Despite these allegations, an inspection by the Departmental Directorate for the Protection of Populations (DDPP) found no non-compliance with regulations at the farms.

Cooperl responded by emphasizing its commitment to sustainable farming, assuring the public that injured animals are cared for and that pest control plans are in place to address hygiene concerns. Carrefour described the practices as "absolutely unacceptable" and has suspended supplies from the Plénée-Jugon farm pending an external audit. Depending on the audit results, Carrefour may cease its cooperation with the supplier and has reserved the right to file its own complaint. This legal action signals increased scrutiny on animal welfare standards in French pork production and the accountability of major distributors.