Yes, I have a bit of a problem with ciwf as well - I think they are a bit zealoty (if that's a word). Their campaign against Nocton Dairies was a bit odd IMHO. Apart from size, much of what was proposed was no different to practices already in place on many British dairy farms for example zero grazing. But if the British public wants 8 pints of milk for £2, then factory dairy farms is what they'll get.
I'm sure if pigs are transported PROPERLY to Spain, they are neither up nor down ie sufficient ventilation, breaks, food, water, space and decent handling but that doesn't seem to be the way things work in practice. Lots of evidence of animals being inhumanely handled, travelled for days without food, water, a break from travelling. I'm sure SAC observed the highest animal welfare standards in its experiment.
You do have to ask WHY animals destined for slaughter in particular, and to a slightly lesser extent for further fattening, have to be transported over long distances AT ALL. Wouldn't it be preferable to move meat on the hook? Apart from the direct welfare issues, isn't there a higher probabliity of spreading disease all over Europe and the world?
Obviously, breeding stock may be a different matter - any breeding stock with a value that makes them worth exporting should be well looked after, although with AI and egg donors, is that necessary either?
If British farming relies on inhumane methods of production, then that's a very sad indictment of the industry. Are humane methods of production strangling the British farming industry?