Today, Marks & Spencer was awarded the title of 'Welfare Ideal - Most Advanced Supermarket', by leading farm animal welfare group Compassion in World Farming (CIWF Trust).
The award, presented at a press conference in London, builds on Marks & Spencer's success in last year's awards, when the special food retailer was awarded the title of Compassionate Supermarket of the Year.
CIWF Trust encourages supermarkets to progress toward a more humane food system and its survey reflects the current state of progress in the retail industry. CIWF Trust has identified a number of points* that it believes form the essential elements to be included in the 'ideal' welfare-friendly supermarket of the future.
CIWF Trust's survey reveals that Marks & Spencer has achieved total compliance of the greatest number of these points. In addition, Marks & Spencer is the only retailer to commit to all laying hens being reared in free range or organic systems and that none of its products are sold from animals treated with antibiotic growth promoters or genetically engineered production enhancers.
Paul Willgoss, Head of Agriculture at Marks & Spencer, comments: "Marks & Spencer firmly believes that it is ethically and morally right to treat animals with care and compassion. This award recognises our continued efforts in animal welfare and builds on our success in last year's awards. We recognise that in order to maintain our unique standards and seek further improvements in animal welfare, total dedication and a passionate commitment is key. In addition, ongoing dialogue with welfare groups and our suppliers is crucial to our progress."
Joyce D'Silva, Chief Executive of CIWF, comments: "CIWF Trust is delighted to present Marks & Spencer with a special award for being the most advanced in ideal welfare standards and meeting the most criteria in the 'ideal welfare-friendly supermarket of the future' category. We are encouraging all supermarkets to work towards this ideal."
Marks & Spencer's policy is to uphold and improve standards of animal welfare throughout its supply chain. The retailer meets regularly with CIWF and representatives from other organisations, maintaining an ongoing dialogue to keep groups aware of Marks & Spencer's continued drive for improvements in animal welfare.
All Marks & Spencer's meat, poultry, fish and dairy comes from suppliers who are part of 'assured farm' schemes which requires independent auditing of standards around the 'Five Freedoms'* as laid down by the Farm Animal Welfare Council. In addition, the retailer has worked closely with its suppliers - the majority of which are UK based - to: -
- Eliminate veal crates
- Eliminate stall and tether for pigs
- Reduce and restrict the use of antibiotics
- Promote 'free range' poultry
- Define and develop good standards of animal husbandry
- Promote the use of free range eggs
- Develop the non-GM feeding of livestock
Since 1996, Marks & Spencer, along with a number of its suppliers, has sponsored a Chair of Farm Animal Health, Food Science and Food Safety at Cambridge University.
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For further information or interviews, please contact:
Victoria Molyneux Marks & Spencer's Food Press Office
020 7268 6891/6478
For a copy of the full report - Supermarkets & Farm Animal Welfare 'Raising the Standards'
Kerry Burgess CIWF Campaign Director 07867 508903
Notes to Editors
The Farm Animal Welfare Council's 'Five Freedoms' include:
- Freedom from hunger and thirst
- Freedom from discomfort
- Freedom from pain, injury and disease
- Freedom to express normal behaviour
- Freedom from fear and distress
CIWF's Essential Elements in the 'Ideal' Welfare-Friendly Supermarket of the Future CIWF charts 10 criteria that contribute to make the 'Ideal' Welfare-Friendly Supermarket. These include:
- All animals reared or organic systems
- No antibiotic growth promoters or genetically engineered production enhancers used
- No exotic animal products sold (i.e. foie gras, frogs' legs, ostrich/emu meat)
- No animals sourced from livestock markets
- Investment in research, animal welfare policy and board member responsible for animal welfare.
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