Poultry
Find out more about our approach to sourcing poultry
According to the British Poultry Council, poultry accounts for around half of all meat eaten in the UK, almost the same volume as beef, pork and lamb combined. The industry employs around 50,000 people and more broiler chickens are farmed in the UK than any other type of farmed animal. During the next fifteen to twenty years, the global population will continue to rise, placing unprecedented pressures on the supply and demand for the global food system. An increase in the more affluent middle classes will further impact the dynamic as a more western diet is sought around the globe. Competition for land, water and energy will intensify, compounded by the impacts of climate change.
In recent years intensive poultry production practices have been the subject of high-profile campaigns highlighting a range of welfare and environmental concerns. Concerns have been expressed over the treatment of birds, waste generation and pollution of air, soil and water. At the same time the industry faces increasing scrutiny over standards of food safety and biosecurity. Farming also faces an ever-increasing social challenge due to the lack of young people willing to engage in an industry which is seen as challenging with low rewards.
We have a proud history of working with the agricultural community to provide the highest quality meat that our customers expect while minimising our impacts. Through our M&S Select Farm Sourcing Standards and Farming for the Future programme we are working with suppliers and farmers to help them address the ethical, environmental and economic challenges they face in order to maintain a long-term sustainable and secure supply.
Commitments and targets
We want to lead the retail sector in sustainable production and consumption, offering our customers the good value, high quality products and services they expect from M&S, while respecting planetary boundaries and the need for social equity. We recognise the integral role of animal health and welfare in sustainable food production and strive to continue progressing the highest welfare standards.
Our goal is to ensure that all our meat is produced to the highest standards of food safety and quality by farms that are operating sustainably. This commitment applies right across our business – from our fresh products to all the meat used as an ingredient in our prepared foods. These are global commitments and apply wherever we trade.
Approach
We have a strong heritage of sourcing with integrity. Over the years, we’ve taken significant steps to improve the sourcing of key raw materials in our products. For instance, one of the reasons why we weren’t affected by the horsemeat scandal of 2013 was due to the controls we already place on ingredients.
Poultry is very important to M&S. We source chicken, turkey, duck and goose for sale as M&S fresh products as well as for ingredient use in our food.
We source in the region of 50,000 tonnes of fresh poultry annually from over 400 farms in the UK. We are strong supporters of the UK farming industry and try and source locally wherever possible to deliver the freshest food for our customers.
We have been widely recognised as a leader in supporting sustainable livestock practices. We have invested in research and innovation for many years to develop and improve farming practices that benefit farmers and the environment.
We have topped the annual Business Benchmark on Farm Animal Welfare since 2013. We were awarded Sustained Excellence in the RSPCA Good Business Awards 2011 and our Oakham™ chicken range was highlighted as one of our top 5 achievements in animal welfare. We received Compassion in World Farming’s Good Chicken Award in 2010 and a special Animal Welfare Innovation Award for our Oakham™ chicken in 2007.
In December 2017, we pledged our support to the European Broiler Ask (Better Chicken.Org Commitment) and have committed to meet the criteria by 2026. We received a Special Recognition Award in July 2021 from CIWF in response to our announcement that all our fresh Oakham chicken would meet the European Broiler Ask requirements by Autumn 2022.
Our approach to sourcing poultry responsibly focuses on:
Establishing and maintaining clear minimum sourcing standards
Minimum Sourcing Principles
Our Technical Terms of Trade set out our minimum technical expectations for suppliers to meet. They also set out our position on a number of areas.
Nothing is more important to us than food safety. We believe our product standards are industry-leading. We require all products to be made by suppliers who are technically competent within their specific area and who operate well-managed hygienic locations applying Good Manufacturing Practice, a Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) approach and due diligence to ensure safety, legality, integrity and consistent quality. Find out more about our approach to product standards.
The following minimum standards exist across our entire poultry supply chain:
- We require complete supply chain traceability
- As a minimum all our farms must be independently assured to UK Red Tractor standards or an equivalent scheme
- Sourcing must be in accordance with our Farm Animal Health and Welfare Policy
- We require producers to adhere to our policy on responsible antimicrobial use. We do not permit routine use of antimicrobials and the use of growth promoting antibiotics and hormones is prohibited
- UK labour providers used to provide temporary labour must have a valid license with the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority
- Suppliers and farms must comply with the relevant M&S Select Farm Sourcing Standards or M&S Codes of Practice (see below)
All poultry must have originated from a hatchery that is Red Tractor, or equivalent, assured. And all feeds must be sourced from a feedmill that is Universal Feed Asssurance Scheme certified and manufactured in accordance with M&S requirements (see below).
All poultry must also be processed by a site on the M&S approved list of facilities for processing poultry. Find out more about our approach to raw materials, commodities and ingredients.
Our suppliers are also required to meet the requirements set out in our Global Sourcing Principles. Find out more about our approach to supplier management.
M&S Select Farm Sourcing Standards – Chicken
All our fresh chicken is British and is clearly labelled with the country of origin. Our strict traceability means we can trace our fresh chicken to the farms where it was produced.
All M&S fresh chicken is reared to our M&S Oakham™ specification. Within our speciality range we have a corn-fed slower growing bird, corn-fed free range and organic chicken.
Our M&S Select Farm Assurance standards for chicken have been developed in collaboration with suppliers, industry experts and NGOs. They cover criteria such as traceability and integrity, animal health and welfare, medicines and biosecurity, feed and water, vermin control, facilities for housing and shelter, casualty and fallen stock, depopulation, transport, slaughter, environmental protection and biodiversity, documentation, and worker health, safety and welfare.
We do not permit the feeding of antibiotics or hormones for purposes of growth promotion. Where veterinary medicines are administered due to ill health strict withdrawal periods are met to ensure no traces of the medicine remain in the meat.
We prohibit the addition of any animal or avian derived by-products in any of our poultry feed. This applies to the breeding birds as well as the growing chickens.
In December 2017, we pledged our support to the European Broiler Ask and have committed to meet the criteria by 2026. This means by 2026, we will require our suppliers to meet the following requirements for 100% of the fresh, frozen, and processed chicken in our supply chain:
- Comply with all EU animal welfare laws and regulations, regardless of the country of production.
- Implement a maximum stocking density of 30kg/m2 or less. Thinning is discouraged and if practiced must be limited to one thin per flock.
- Adopt breeds that demonstrate higher welfare outcomes: either the following breeds, Hubbard JA757, 787, 957, or 987, Rambler Ranger, Ranger Classic, and Ranger Gold, or others that meet the criteria of the RSPCA Broiler Breed Welfare Assessment Protocol.
- Meet improved environmental standards including:
- At least 50 lux of light, including natural light.
- At least two metres of usable perch space, and two pecking substrates, per 1,000 birds.
- On air quality, at least the requirements of Annex 2.3 of the EU broiler directive, regardless of stocking density.
- No cages or multi-tier systems.
- Adopt controlled atmospheric stunning using inert gas or multi-phase systems, or effective electrical stunning without live inversion.
- Demonstrate compliance with the above standards via third-party auditing and annual public reporting on progress towards this commitment
Oakham™ chicken is exclusive to M&S. The birds have a bespoke diet which is cereal based with a minimum inclusion of 5% maize.
Oakham™ chickens are reared in controlled environment barns. The birds are housed on wood shavings and have constant access to food and water. The farm controls the temperature and lighting levels in the house to provide the best environment for the birds.
The environment in which the birds are housed is enriched to encourage bird movement and activity and to allow them to exhibit natural behaviours. The bird’s environment is enriched with natural daylight and straw bales which the birds use for pecking and perching behaviours.
Birds must not be stocked at a density greater than 30kg/m2 (the industry standard stocking density is 38kg/m2).
Corn-fed Slower Growing Hubbard
The birds are from a slower growing breed and have a bespoke diet which is cereal based with a minimum inclusion of 50% maize. No artificial pigments are permitted in the feed.
Corn-fed free range
Free range chickens are housed in similar houses to Oakham™ birds but have constant daytime access to the range on which they are free to roam.
The birds have a bespoke diet which is cereal based with a minimum inclusion of 50% maize. No artificial pigments are permitted in the feed.
Birds must not be stocked at a density greater than 27.5kg/m2 with only one thinning permitted and the area of range is determined on the basis of 1m2 per bird.
Organic
Organic chickens are fed and stocked to the same specifications as free range birds.
Farms rearing birds for M&S organic chicken must comply with the organic standards for chicken laid down by UK approved Certification Bodies listed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
Halal
Halal
We also sell a range of Shazans branded Halal chicken in a selection of stores, which has been certified by the Halal Food Authority (HFA). Birds reared for Shazans products are from farms that meet our Select Farm requirements and are pre-slaughter stunned. Find out more about the HFA’s Halal food certification.
Ingredient chicken
All our ingredient chicken is sourced from UK M&S Select Farms that meet the Red Tractor Standard. Birds sourced from farms assured to industry-standard schemes will be operating to a maximum stocking densities of 38kg/m2 or less.
All poultry must have originated from a hatchery that is Red Tractor, or equivalent, assured. And all feeds must be sourced from a feedmill that is Universal Feed Assurance Scheme certified and manufactured in accordance with M&S requirements (see below).
All fresh poultry must be processed by a site on the M&S approved list of facilities for processing poultry. It is the responsibility of the processor to ensure animals come from either an assured farm or an M&S Select Farm. Find out more about our approach to raw materials, commodities and ingredients.
In December 2017, we pledged our support to the European Broiler Ask and have committed to meet the criteria by 2026 (see 'M&S Select Farm Assurance - Chicken' above for more information).
In December 2017, we pledged our support to the European Broiler Ask and have committed to meet the criteria by 2026 (see 'M&S Select Farm Assurance - Chicken' above for more information).
M&S Select Farm Sourcing Standards - Turkey
All our turkey is British and is clearly labelled with the country of origin. Our strict traceability means we can trace our fresh and ingredient turkey to the farms where it was produced.
All M&S turkey for both fresh and ingredient use is produced to higher welfare standards including increased space and enrichment provision on M&S Select Farms to our M&S Select Farm Assurance standard. Within our speciality range we have free range and organic turkey too.
These standards have been developed in collaboration with suppliers, industry experts and NGOs. They cover criteria such as traceability and integrity, animal health and welfare, medicines and biosecurity, feed and water, vermin control, stock and handling, facilities for housing and shelter, free range, casualty and fallen stock, depopulation, transport, slaughter, environmental protection and biodiversity, documentation, and worker health, safety and welfare.
Birds must not be stocked a density greater than:
- Red Tractor Standards minus 10%
- Free range – 25kg/m2
- Organic – 21kg/m2
We do not permit the feeding of antibiotics or hormones for purposes of growth promotion. Where veterinary medicines are administered due to ill health strict withdrawal periods are met to ensure no traces of the medicine remain in the meat.
We prohibit the addition of any animal or avian derived by-products in any of our poultry feed. This applies to the breeding birds as well as the growing turkeys.
Farms rearing birds for M&S organic turkey must comply with the organic standards for turkey laid down by UK approved Certification Bodies listed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
M&S Select Farm Sourcing Standards - Duck
All our duck is British and is clearly labelled with the country of origin. Our strict traceability means we can trace our fresh duck to the farms where it was produced.
All M&S duck for both fresh and ingredient use is produced to higher welfare standards including increased space and enrichment provision on M&S Select Farms to our M&S Select Farm Assurance standard. We do not sell foie-gras or its by-products.
These standards have been developed in collaboration with suppliers, industry experts and NGOs. They cover criteria such as traceability and integrity, animal health and welfare, medicines and biosecurity, feed and water, vermin control, stock and handling, facilities for housing and shelter, casualty and fallen stock, depopulation, transport, slaughter, environmental protection, documentation, and worker health, safety and welfare.
Birds must not be stocked at a density greater than 23.8kg/m2 and must not be exceeded at any time during the growing period.
We do not permit the feeding of antibiotics or hormones for purposes of growth promotion. Where veterinary medicines are administered due to ill health strict withdrawal periods are met to ensure no traces of the medicine remains in the meat.
We prohibit the addition of any animal or avian derived by-products in any of our poultry feed. This applies to the breeding birds as well as the growing ducks.
Farms rearing birds for M&S organic duck must comply with the organic standards for duck laid down by UK approved Certification Bodies listed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
M&S Code of Practice – Guinea Fowl
All our guinea fowl is sourced from France and is clearly labelled with the country of origin. Our strict traceability means we can trace our fresh guinea fowl to the farms where it was produced.
All M&S guinea fowl for both fresh and ingredient use is ‘Free Range’ (i.e. they are not caged) produced on known and approved farms in accordance with our Code of Practice for Guinea Fowl.
These standards have been developed in collaboration with suppliers, industry experts and NGOs. They cover criteria such as traceability and integrity, animal health and welfare, medicines and biosecurity, feed and water, vermin control, stock and handling, facilities for housing and shelter, casualty and fallen stock, depopulation, transport, slaughter, environmental protection and biodiversity, documentation, and worker health safety and welfare.
We do not permit the feeding of antibiotics or hormones for purposes of growth promotion. Where veterinary medicines are administered due to ill health strict withdrawal periods are met to ensure no traces of the medicine remain in the meat.
We prohibit the addition of any animal or avian derived by-products in any of our poultry feed. This applies to the breeding birds as well as the growing geese.
M&S Code of Practice - Goose
All our goose is British and is clearly labelled with the country of origin. Our strict traceability means we can trace our fresh goose to the farms where it was produced.
All M&S goose for both fresh and ingredient use is free range produced on known and approved farms in accordance with our Code of Practice for Goose. We do not sell foie-gras or its by-products.
These standards have been developed in collaboration with suppliers, industry experts and NGOs. They cover criteria such as traceability and integrity, animal health and welfare, medicines and biosecurity, feed and water, vermin control, stock and handling, facilities for housing and shelter, casualty and fallen stock, depopulation, transport, slaughter, environmental protection and biodiversity, documentation, and worker health, safety and welfare.
We require geese to have constant daytime access to pasture and have access to straw bedding at night.
We do not permit the feeding of antibiotics or hormones for purposes of growth promotion. Where veterinary medicines are administered due to ill health strict withdrawal periods are met to ensure no traces of the medicine remain in the meat.
We prohibit the addition of any animal or avian derived by-products in any of our poultry feed. This applies to the breeding birds as well as the growing geese.
M&S Approved Hatcheries
All poultry must have originated from a hatchery on the M&S approved list of hatcheries which are located in the UK, the Netherlands or France. All hatcheries must as a minimum be independently assured to the following:
- Red Tractor Assurance Poultry Scheme – Hatcheries or equivalent standard.
- Humane Slaughter Association Code of Practice for the Disposal of Chicks in Hatcheries
M&S Approved Feedmills
All feeds must be sourced from a feedmill approved by the AIC Universal Feed Assurance Scheme (UFAS) or an equivalent scheme
We also require suppliers to source soy-containing feed to a standard that has been confirmed by the International Trade Centre's (ITC) Standards Map as meeting the requirements of the European Feed Manufacturers Federation (FEFAC) Soy Sourcing Guidelines. Find out more about our approach to protecting forests.
Ensuring Good Animal Health and Welfare
We are committed to ensuring that the highest standards of animal welfare are adhered to in all our supply chains.
We have a long-term partnership with FAI Farms who provide us with animal welfare knowledge and direction and are responsible for managing our independent data collection and supply chain research and outcome measures.
Our M&S Select Farm Sourcing Standards have been designed to support our suppliers to meet our high standards on animal welfare. These are based on the ‘Five Freedoms’ recommended by the UK Farm Animal Welfare Committee:
- Freedom from hunger and thirst
- Freedom from discomfort
- Freedom from pain, injury or disease
- Freedom to express normal behaviour
- Freedom from fear and distress
Our farms must be committed to rear, handle, transport and slaughter under conditions of minimum stress, within minimal environmental impact and with full regard to animal welfare.
We record welfare outcome measures on our UK chicken and turkey supply chains. This data is collected on all M&S Select animals and independently collated by FAI Farms (see below).
Labour standards
Our direct suppliers are responsible for ensuring every site supplying M&S, including farms, meet our minimum labour standards which are set out in our Global Sourcing Principles.
Treating employees fairly is the only way to do business and keeping them safe is the important priority of all. Unfortunately, health and safety statistics show that farming is one of the riskiest industry sectors.
Ethical requirements for Select Farms are set out in the M&S Select Farm Sourcing Standard for each species. We’ve developed supplemental guidance for help our farmers meet these requirements.
Designed specifically for farms we’ve developed simple to use tools to help farmers:
- Review the health and safety risks on their site and identify how to communicate them effectively to workers
- Understand the steps they need to take to effectively screen new workers to ensure they have the right to work and are of the right age
- Provide contracts to ensure farmers and their workers are clear on their contractual rights and responsibilities
- Accurately record hours and provide payslips to workers
Supporting programmes that further our understanding and build capacity within our supply chain
Farming for the Future
We introduced Farming for the Future in 2010 as our programme of initiatives which champions sustainability, innovation and continual improvement. It exists so that we can deliver our commitment to source our raw materials for food products from the most sustainable sources possible.
Farming for the Future is about us helping the farms in our supply base meet our M&S Select Farm Sourcing Standards and address the challenges ahead by finding opportunities to improve efficiency, environmental performance and ethical practice. This will make their businesses more resilient and profitable, ensuring that they can continue to deliver quality and innovation for the long-term whilst reducing their impact on the world around them. In turn, this delivers security of supply for M&S.
We have worked with our farms to identify the key sustainability hotspots that impact the poultry sector, which are:
- Feed
- Animal welfare
- Energy consumption
- Litter quality
- Heating/ventilation
We are working to address these challenges through our poultry supply base who have been supported in making changes in their businesses to drive sustainability.
Research and Innovation
We have invested in R&D and innovation for many years in order to improve livestock practices that benefit farmers and the environment.
Our approach is to work collaboratively with our suppliers and farmers to establish the need and then align with the most relevant industry research partner.
Research and innovation is a key element of our Select Farm Programme. We work closely with centres of excellence, such as universities, agricultural colleges and research institutes, to ensure our products and processes remain up to date and industry leading.
Our current priority areas for research of relevance to poultry are:
- Ongoing development and rollout of Welfare Outcome Measures
- Development of Outcome Measures to understand environmental impact, including collaboration with Cool Farm Alliance
- Optimum space allowances for chicken production
- Environmental enrichment for chicken production
- Optimal bedding substrates to reduce risk of footpad dermatitis in broiler chickens
- Responsible use of animal medicines
- Reduction of Campylobacter in broiler chickens on farm and at slaughter
- Developing tools to capture behavioural outcome measures
Outcome-based measures
NOTE: Measures are recorded on all flocks within the M&S supply. Welfare outcome measures are captured at the time of depopulation and reported monthly. Environmental measures are collected annually. Where environmental 'outcome' measures are not currently available or practical to collect, 'input' measures are used in the interim (shown in italics).
NOTE: Measures are recorded on all flocks within the M&S supply. Welfare outcome measures are captured at the time of depopulation and reported monthly. Environmental measures are collected annually. Where environmental 'outcome' measures are not currently available or practical to collect, 'input' measures are used in the interim (shown in italics).
In recent years there has been a shift away from focusing on farming systems and input standards towards also measuring and seeking to improve the impact of supply chains on the environment, ethics (for people and animals) and economic elements of a production system.
We are currently developing these sustainability outcome measures and we will use this information, alongside the latest science, to better understand the challenges we are facing together with our suppliers. This outcomes-based approach will allow farmers to pioneer their own solutions and innovations to make progress. This flexibility and creativity is crucial for tackling some of the long-standing challenges to sustainable food production.
We have developed specific sustainability measures for chicken and turkeys including welfare measures and these are in the process of being rolled out across our supply base as follows:
Sustainability outcome measures for chicken
| Category | Sustainability Measure |
| Welfare Measures | |
| Liveability | Percent (%) mortality including culls |
| Percent (%) dead on arrival | |
| Disease | Percent (%) condemnations |
| Antimicrobial use by type, dose and treatment case (and if treated in first 7 days) | |
| Injury | Percent (%) flock with contact dermatitis (footpad dermatitis and hockburn) |
| Percent (%) of animals with leg and wing breaks and bruising | |
| Mobility | Percent (%) flock cull for leg abnormalities |
| Behaviour | Maximum stocking density of flock |
| Presence / absence of enrichment provision (natural light, bales, platforms and pecking objects) | |
| Environmental Measures | |
| Climate Change | Percent (%) total energy use from renewable source |
| Land System Change | Proportion (%) of diet in competition with human diets (non-forage based) |
| Proportion (%) of diet components from certified sustainable sources | |
| Freshwater Use | Percent (%) total water use from renewable/recycled water use (non-mains) |
| Biodiversity | Percent (%) of total area not in production, set aside and managed for wildlife, or protected and condition (if known) |
| Percent (%) total land (Ha) that is protected (including SSSI, SPA, SAC, ELS/HLS, etc) and condition (if known) | |
| N and P Flows | Proportion of manure handled under safe management and storage |
| Chemical Pollution | Percent (%) total waste routinely recycled |
Sustainability outcome measures for ducks
Category | Sustainability measure |
Welfare measures | |
Liveability | Percent (%) mortality including culls |
Percent (%) dead on arrival | |
Disease | Percent (%) condemnations |
Antimicrobial use by type, dose and treatment case | |
Duck cleanliness score percent (%) flock | |
Duck feather score percent (%) flock | |
Duck nostril health score percent (%) flock | |
Ocular health score percent (%) flock | |
Injury | Percent (%) flock with contact dermatitis (footpad dermatitis) |
Mobility | Percent (%) flock culled for leg abnormalities |
Behaviour | Maximum stocking density of flock |
Presence/absence of enrichment provision (natural light, water provision) | |
Environment measures | |
Climate Change | Percent (%) total energy use from renewable source |
Land System Change | Proportion (%) of diet in competition with human diets (non-forage based) |
Proportion (%) of diet components from certified sustainable sources | |
Freshwater Use | Percent (%) total water use from renewable/recycled water use (non-mains) |
Biodiversity
| Percent (%) of total area not in production, set aside and managed for wildlife, or protected and condition (if known) |
Percent (%) total land (Ha) that is protected (including SSSI, SPA, SAC, ELS/HLS, etc) and condition (if known) | |
N and P Flows | Proportion of manure handled under safe management and storage |
Chemical Pollution | Percent (%) total waste routinely recycled |
NOTE: Measures are recorded on all flocks within the M&S supply. Welfare outcome measures are captured at the time of depopulation and reported monthly. Environmental measures are collected annually. Where 'outcome' measures are not currently available or practical to collect, 'input' measures are used in the interim (shown in italics).
Sustainability outcome measures for turkeys
| Category | Sustainability Measure |
| Welfare Measures | |
| Liveability | Percent (%) mortality, including culls (first week and total) |
| Percent (%) mortality during transport | |
| Disease | Percent (%) condemnations |
| Antimicrobial use by type, dose and treatment case (and if treated in first 7 days) | |
| Injury | Percent (%) flock with contact dermatitis (footpad dermatitis) |
| Percent (%) animals with leg and wing breaks and bruising | |
| Mobility | Percent (%) flock culled for leg abnormalities |
| Behaviour | Maximum stocking density of flock |
| Presence/absence of enrichment provision (natural light, bales, platforms and pecking objects) | |
| Environmental Measures | |
| Climate Change | Percent (%) total energy use from renewable source |
| Land System Change | Proportion (%) of diet in competition with human diets (non-forage based) |
| Proportion (%) of diet components from certified sustainable sources | |
| Freshwater Use | Percent (%) total water use from renewable/recycled water use (non-mains) |
| Biodiversity | Percent (%) of total area not in production, set aside and managed for wildlife, or protected and condition (if known) |
| Percent (%) total land (Ha) that is protected (including SSSI, SPA, SAC, ELS/HLS, etc) and condition (if known) | |
| N and P Flows | Proportion (%) manure handled under safe management and storage |
| Chemical Pollution | Percent (%) total waste routinely recycled |
We’re currently working with our partners to develop automated methods of data capture to ensure robust and independent outcome measure recording over time.
Since 2017 we have reported on a number of animal health and welfare measures for poultry (see below).
We aim to use this data to shape future production standards and drive a continual improvement culture across our farm supply base.
Supporting programmes which enhance the lives of people and communities
Agricultural education
To help encourage young people into the agricultural industry, and to support the development of those already in it, we have set up an education programme. This was developed collaboratively with our suppliers and aims to equip individuals with the necessary skills, knowledge and experience they need at several stages of their agricultural careers.
We are working with colleges, supporting apprenticeships and offering bursaries, work placements and study scholarships too. So far over 200 young people have benefited from this investment in their future. For example, we are supporting a degree student at Harper Adams University College, with a scholarship in partnerships with Rabobank. This will see the student spend their year-out work placement with M&S working on projects with our agriculture or agronomy teams.
We also run ‘walk the supply chain’ events with a number of colleagues annually to enable students to get an insight and an understanding around the issues and challenges around food production and retail.
We have also developed a unique executive education programme – the M&S Agricultural Leadership Programme – in association with Cranfield University School of Management. This five-day programme sees high potential young people learn about leadership, sustainability and supply chain management. So far the programme has had 70 delegates from across our supply base taking part and feedback has been excellent. Find out more about the ALP from one of its recent participants.
Performance summary
M&S Select Farm Assurance Audits
We have put appropriate assurance arrangements in place to check that our suppliers meet our requirements.
If a supplier fails to meet the standards we will work with them to make changes to improve performance. However, if our standards continue not to be met, they will be removed from our supply. Find out more about our approach to supplier management.
Our direct supplier is responsible for undertaking the M&S Select Farm Assurance audit to the full scope of our standards. During 2020/21, FSIG have step changed our select farm training and also helped integrate our select farm and factory audits to ensure we have a more coordinated and holistic approach to improving back to farm. Find out more about our approach to M&S Select Farm Assurance Audits.
M&S Welfare Audits
During 2019/20, FSIG carried out Welfare Audits of the primary processors to ensure transport, lairage and slaughter all meet our requirements. Find out more about how our suppliers are performing.
Key Performance Measures
We're committed to reporting on our use of animal welfare and environmental outcome-indicators. In 2017, we began to report on a number of key measures below:
Chicken Supply
Reported Measures | Free Range / Organic | Fresh (OakhamTM) | Ingredient including frozen (UK and EU) | High welfare indoor | |
Number of animals | 2,000,499 | 25,697,101 | 298,220,467 | 3,470,579 | |
Proportion (%) of flocks grown to the following maximum stocking densities: | |||||
< 38 kg/m2 (1 thin) | 0 | 0 | 96 | 0 | |
<34 kg/m2 (no thin) | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
<30 kg/m2 (1 thin) | 0 | 100 | 0 | ||
| ≤ 30 Kg / m2 (no thin) | 1 | 100 | |||
<27.5kg/m2 (1 thin) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| <27.5kg/m2 (1 thin) | 42 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
<21.5kg/m2 (no thin) | 58 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Proportion (%) of flocks provided with any behavioural enrichment | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | |
Proportion (%) of flocks provided with the following enrichment: | |||||
Natural light | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | |
Bales | 100 | 100 | 94 | 100 | |
| Perching Platforms | 100 | 0 | 5 | 0 | |
Perches | 100 | 100 | 84 | 100 | |
Pecking objects | 100 | 100 | 91 | 100 | |
Maximum transport time (hrs) to factory across all flocks (including loading and unloading) | 2.3 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8 | |
Average transport time (hrs) to factory across all flocks (including loading and unloading) | 1.6 | 3.9 | 4.1 | 4.9 | |
Average flock mortality during transport (% birds dead on arrival) | 0.03 | 0.05 | 0.08 | 0.03 | |
Proportion (%) of flocks pre-stunned prior to slaughter | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | |
| Proportion (%) if eligible animals that received an ineffective stun across all supply | 0.000006 | ||||
1 From 2017 we moved to reporting calendar year. Previous years data was reported in a financial year basis, i.e. April to March.
2 During 2017/18, we focussed on improving standards in EU ingredient supply through increased enrichment and provision of straw bales and natural light.
Oakham
| Outcome measure | Supply result | % Farms meeting 2025 target | M&S 2025 Target for 95% flocks | |
| Number of animals | 25,459,906 | |||
| Liveability | Total mortality, including culls (%) | 4.42 | 7 | 3.50 |
| Total dead on arrival (%) | 0.05 | 100 | 0.01 | |
| Disease | Total PMI rejects / condemnations (%) | 1.06 | 0 | 0.50 |
| Antimicrobial usage (mg/PCU) | 13. | n/a | Adhere to M&S policy | |
| Antimicrobial usage of HPCI antimicrobials | 0.00 | 100 | 0 mg/PCU | |
Ingredient (UK and EU)
| Outcome measure | Supply result | % Farms meeting 2025 target | M&S 2025 Target for 95% flocks | |
| Number of animals | 305,366,941 | |||
| Liveability | Total mortality, including culls (%) | 4.65 | 34 | 3.50 |
| Total dead on arrival (%) | 0.08 | 82 | 0.01 | |
| Disease | Total PMI rejects / condemnations (%) | 1.24 | 20 | 0.50 |
| Antimicrobial usage (mg/PCU) | 21.40 | n/a | Adhere to M&S policy | |
| Antimicrobial usage of HPCI antimicrobials | 0 | 100 | 0 mg/PCU | |
Free Range & Organic
| Outcome measure | Supply result | % Farms meeting 2025 target | M&S 2025 Target for 95% flocks | |
| Number of animals | 2,314,684 | |||
| Liveability | Total mortality, including culls (%) | 4.70 | 0 | 3.50 |
| Total dead on arrival (%) | 0.03 | 100 | 0.01 | |
| Disease | Total PMI rejects / condemnations (%) | 0.45 | 100 | 0.50 |
| Antimicrobial usage (mg/PCU) | 0 | n/a | Adhere to M&S Policy | |
| Antimicrobial usage of HPCI antimicrobials | 0 | 100 | 0 mg/PCU | |
Oakham Gold
| Outcome measure | Supply result | % Farms meeting 2025 target | M&S 2025 Target for 95% flocks | |
| Number of animals | 3,222,513 | |||
| Liveability | Total mortality, including culls (%) | 2.39 | 92 | 3.50 |
| Total dead on arrival (%) | 0.03 | 100 | 0.01 | |
| Disease | Total PMI rejects / condemnations (%) | 0.53 | 42 | 0.50 |
| Antimicrobial usage (mg/PCU) | 2.27 | n/a | Adhere to M&S Policy | |
| Antimicrobial usage of HPCI antimicrobials | 0 | 0 | 0 mg/PCU | |
Duck Supply
Reported Measures | Fresh and Ingredient Supply (including frozen) | |
Number of animals | 7,747,000 | |
Proportion (%) of flocks grown to the following maximum stocking densities: | ||
<25 kg/m2 | 0.00 | |
<17 kg/m2 | 100 | |
Proportion (%) of flocks provided with any behavioural enrichment | 100 | |
Proportion (%) of flocks provided with the following enrichment: | ||
Natural light | 100 | |
Water troughs | 100 | |
Maximum transport time (hrs) to factory across all flocks (inc. loading and unloading) | 6.6 | |
Average transport time (hrs) to factory across all flocks (inc. loading and unloading) | 4.2 | |
Average flock mortality during transport (% birds dead on arrival) | 0.03 | |
Proportion (%) of flocks pre-stunned prior to slaughter | 100 | |
| Proportion (%) of eligible animals that received an ineffective stun | 0.01 | |
1 From 2017 we moved to reporting calendar year. Previous years data was reported in a financial year basis, i.e. April to March.
Turkey
Reported Measures | Fresh & Ingredient Supply (including frozen) | |
Number of animals | 1,534,981 | |
Proportion (%) of flocks grown to the following maximum stocking densities: | ||
QBT – 10 | 77.80 | |
QBT | 0 | |
<25kg/m2 | 22.20 | |
Proportion (%) of flocks that are beak-trimmed | 80 | |
Proportion (%) of flocks provided with any behavioural enrichment | 100 | |
Proportion (%) of flocks provided with the following enrichment: | ||
Natural light | 100 | |
Bales | 100 | |
Perching platform or ramp | 94 | |
| Perches | 22 | |
Pecking objects | 100 | |
Maximum transport time (hrs) to factory across all flocks (inc. loading and unloading) | 4.85 | |
Average transport time (hrs) to factory across all flocks (inc. loading and unloading) | 2.47 | |
Average flock mortality during transport (% birds dead on arrival) | 0.02 | |
Proportion (%) of flocks pre-stunned prior to slaughter | 100 | |
| Proportion (%) of eligible animals that received an ineffective stun | 0.00 | |
1 From 2017 we moved to reporting calendar year. Previous years data was reported in a financial year basis, i.e. April to March.
2 From 2018, the minimum standard for out turkey production will be QBT -10. Stocking density as defined by the Quality British Turkey (QBT) Standard based on finished weight of the bird minus 10. Changes to year 3 reporting figures due to the inclusion of more suppliers and production systems within the report.
We aim to use this data to shape future production standards and drive a continual improvement culture across our farm supply base.
| Fresh and Ingredient (Including frozen) | Free Range and Organic Supply | |
Outcome measure | |||
Number of animals | 1,129,516 | 153,900 | |
Liveability | Total mortality first 7 days (%) | 2.43 | 0.77 |
Total mortality (placed flocks) (%) | 6.00 | n/a | |
Total dead on arrival (%) | 0.04 | 0.02 | |
Disease | Total PMI rejects / condemnations (%) | 0.05 | 0.15 |
Working with others
Listening, learning, responding and working in partnership is an important part of how we do business.
We work closely with industry experts and scientists to develop our approach to sourcing. We have a long-term partnership with FAI Farms who provide animal welfare knowledge and direction and are responsible for managing our independent data collection and supply chain research on outcome measures. We also work closely with our suppliers to evolve our sourcing approach and standards.
We liaise regularly with centres of excellence in sustainability and engage regularly with leading NGOs, including the RSPCA, CIWF, Humane Slaughter Association, Levy Bodies and farming unions to ensure our approach and policies are current and meaningful.
