Press release: 11th August 2008
UK supermarkets set their sights on improving animal welfare
The RSPCA reveals the food retail finalists for the 2008 Good Business Awards
Four of the UK's biggest supermarkets have been selected as finalists for the food retail category of the RSPCA Good Business Awards 2008 for implementing animal welfare policies which dictate where and how they source all or some of their meat, fish, eggs and dairy products.
New entrant Asda joins the Co-op and past winners Waitrose and M&S on this year's shortlist, alongside three independent food retailers - Pepperfield Farm, Swan Inn Farm Shop and West Frogwell Farm. All have been selected for their ongoing commitment to achieving high standards of animal welfare in all or part of their businesses.
Dr. Geoff Spriegel, judge and independent food consultant, says: "The strength of the food retail entrants this year is immense. Animal welfare is now a topic that necessitates even closer links between farmers and retailers who must ensure their policies are both practical and put into operation. Retailers of all sizes are now finding creative ways to turn animal welfare issues to business benefit - a key to sustainable improvement.
"The progress many retailers have made is inspiring, and that makes for a very exciting shortlist. Targets have been moved and the bar raised - from rearing methods to transportation and slaughter - showing a laudable commitment to improving animal welfare."
Finalists for the Supermarkets category are
- Asda for working with its farmers to deliver a practical and sustainable scheme to significantly improve the welfare of dairy cows.
- Co-op for its ethical ethos in relation to animal welfare and specifically its high welfare turkey initiative
- M&S for its clear and evidence-based animal welfare audit, and its commitment to ensuring the welfare credentials of its pork-processed products such as Parma ham
- Waitrose for its commitment across its animal-derived product range, sustainable fish range and emphasis on animal welfare in its R&D programme.
Finalists for the Independent Food Retailer category are:
- Pepperfield Farm Dalton-on-Tees near Darlington, for its humane rearing and slaughter policies, and its continuing drive to educate customers from farm to fork
- Swan Inn Farm ShopI nkpen near Hungerford, for its welfare friendly purchase policy and the high welfare standards of their cattle
- West Frogwell Farm near Callington, Cornwall, for its strict policies on pig rearing and transportation, and free range hens and ducks
David Bowles, Head of External Affairs for the RSPCA says: “There is a growing consumer demand for higher welfare meat, eggs and dairy products thanks to high profile campaigns this year by animal welfare charities and celebrity chefs Jamie Oliver and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall.
"It is great to see food retailers, regardless of their size, striving to implement exceptional welfare standards. Companies, such as those on this year's shortlist who are taking these steps, deserve our recognition as they set the standard for others to work towards."
The RSPCA Good Business Awards gala ceremony will be held at the Natural History Museum, London on Thursday 9 October 2008. Tickets for the awards ceremony are available by contacting the RSPCA Good Business Awards team on 0300 123 0488 or awards@rspca.org.uk or online: www.rspcagoodbusinessawards.com.
Note to editors
- The other categories in the RSPCA Good Business Awards are Fashion, Cosmetics and Restaurants.
- The independent panel of judges for the food retail category of the RSPCA Good Business Awards 2008 comprises: Richard Johnson, journalist and TV presenter; Andrew Opie, food policy director, British Retail Consortium; Dr Geoff Spriegel, independent food consultant; and Professor John Webster, Professor Emeritus at Bristol University.
- Entrants to the food retail category this year were judged on the basis of their practices in the following areas:
- Welfare of beef, dairy cattle, chickens bred for meat, laying hens, pigs, sheep and farmed fish
- Live transport of animals
- Slaughter methods
- Labelling
- Import of meat and eggs from other countries
- Farm inspection
For media enquiries, please contact Amanda Mills or Nicki Akers at 77PR on 0207 492 0977. Email amanda.mills@77pr.co.uk or nicki.akers@77pr.co.uk or the RSPCA press office on 0300 123 0244 or press@rspca.org.uk.
Find out more about this year's winners.
Find out how your company can be part of the RSPCA Good Business Awards 2009
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