#THISISGYROS

Do you know what’s behind the gyros you eat?

An investigation by REthink ANIMALS in collaboration with UNLOCKED reveals conditions at 27 pig farms in Greece.

The hidden reality of pig farming in Greece

This investigation draws on first-hand evidence from 27 pig farms in different regions of Greece. It includes more than three hours of video and over 100 photographs, collected by anonymous investigators between March and May 2026. The findings reveal recurring problems with animal welfare and waste management, as well as breaches of hygiene requirements.

Pig farms in Greece

The evidence reveals what lies behind gyros and other pork products from farms in Greece.

Pig farming in Greece

In Greece, more than 720,000 pigs are being reared on over 3,370 farms at any given time. Meanwhile, more than 1.06 million animals are slaughtered each year to produce pork, which is a major domestic source of red meat. Despite a decline in the number of farms in recent years, the total number of animals is increasing, indicating a shift towards fewer but larger intensive production units.

Sources: (1) ELSTAT, ‘Livestock Surveys: Year 2025’, 25 June 2026, (2) FAOSTAT, Livestock Primary, 2024. FAOSTAT, Livestock Primary, 2024.

The investigation

The investigation covers 27 farms in Western Greece, Thessaly, Central Greece and Central Macedonia, in regional units including Aetolia-Acarnania, Trikala, Larissa, Boeotia, Euboea and Pieria. Similar animal welfare concerns and environmental and hygiene violations were found across all the regions investigated. Some farms where violations were identified appear to have received EU or state funding.

Findings

Injuries and serious health problems

Footage and photographs taken inside the farms show animals with serious health problems and injuries. The findings include skin lesions, open wounds and pressure sores in sows, some consistent with injuries caused by contact with the floor or equipment.

Rectal prolapse, abscesses and umbilical hernias were documented in young animals, along with lesions that may have affected the eyes. Some animals with visible health problems remained in group housing, while areas that appeared to be used for treatment or isolation were heavily soiled and lacked a suitable, dry and comfortable resting surface.

The veterinary assessment highlights serious concerns about the adequacy and timeliness of care, particularly in advanced cases of rectal prolapse, with no visible evidence of treatment in the footage and photographs. Confirming the treatment the animals were receiving requires an examination of veterinary records.

Miscarriage on the farm floor

In one case, several dead foetuses were found on the floor, with features consistent with a miscarriage in late gestation, according to the veterinary assessment. The foetuses had not been collected and lay beside a sow’s crate when the material was recorded.

What pigs need

Modern scientific research recognises pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus) as animals with a high degree of cognitive, social and emotional complexity. They have a developed nervous system and strong learning, memory and problem-solving abilities, enabling them to adapt to their environment and make decisions based on past experience.

Pigs are also highly social animals. They live in groups with stable hierarchies, recognise other individuals and develop social bonds. They communicate through a range of sounds and body language. Social learning has also been documented, with younger animals observing and imitating older ones. They also display a wide range of emotions, including fear, anxiety, pleasure and curiosity, as well as behaviours associated with empathy.

Pigs have a strong drive to explore and forage, a fundamental part of their natural behaviour. They divide their space into separate areas for resting, feeding and excreting waste, showing how they organise their environment.
Because they have a limited ability to sweat, they need conditions that allow them to regulate their body temperature, such as access to cool ground or water.

Overall, scientific evidence shows that pigs are animals with complex cognitive functions, rich social lives and specific behavioural and environmental needs, which are directly linked to their welfare and cannot be met in pig farms.

The investigation found pigs living on farms that could not meet their basic needs, where confinement, overcrowding and poor hygiene conditions appear to lead to stress, injuries and disease.

Confinement

The photographs show conditions of confinement, overcrowding and restricted movement for pigs at the farms documented in the investigation. The images highlight the environment in which the animals live and the restrictions on expressing natural behaviours. The photographs are from different farms in Greece and were taken between March and May 2026.

Dirty and poorly maintained facilities

The facilities show widespread dirt, manure accumulation and limited maintenance. In some cases, a high number of insects, including cockroaches and flies, as well as rodents, was recorded, particularly in areas housing young animals. The animals appear covered in filth, while the buildings and equipment show damage and inadequate drainage, raising concerns about hygiene at the farms.

Dead animals in open pits

Pits containing dead pigs at different stages of decomposition were found at the majority of farms investigated, often behind the facilities and without adequate covering. The carcasses remain exposed to the air and soil, often near water sources. In several cases, they are close to residential areas and natural ecosystems. This practice contravenes the requirements for the safe collection and lawful management of animal by-products. Further investigation is needed to establish whether these deaths were recorded and their causes examined. Leaving dead animals exposed creates a risk of spreading disease.

Animals feeding on dead pigs

Sites where dead pigs are disposed of remain open and accessible to animals such as dogs, cats and birds. The investigation documents several cases of animals feeding on the decomposing remains, creating an increased risk of spreading disease and bypassing all hygiene controls.

Wastewater near residential areas

The management of manure and liquid waste presents serious problems at many farms, with documented overflows and dispersal of waste into the environment. In several cases, waste was recorded being disposed of directly onto the ground, outside designated collection areas, while some tanks are very close to riverbeds. Some facilities are a short distance from settlements, lakes or even, in one case, a public hospital. The findings raise concerns about soil contamination, potential groundwater contamination and possible risks to public health.

Antibiotics, hormones and sedatives

Packaging for veterinary medicines was found at the facilities, including antibiotics, hormonal preparations and sedatives. The footage and photographs cannot establish which animals received these medicines, why, at what doses or how often. The presence of these medicines, alongside the documented living conditions and the animals’ health problems, raises questions about the extent to which pharmaceutical intervention is used to address problems associated with intensive farming conditions. Investigating this relationship requires an examination of veterinary records and farm management practices.