FOOD LABELLING
The following logos appear on many food products – so read on and find out what they mean for farm animal welfare.
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The Red Tractor is an assurance standard that guarantees compliance with minimum legal requirements. It is not a guarantee of good animal welfare and allows intensive production. For higher welfare, look for the Freedom Food logo (see below), Soil Association logo (see below) or statements like ‘organic’ or ‘free-range’ on the packaging. |
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The Lion Mark is important for food safety, aiming to ensure your eggs are safe to eat but it does not guarantee good animal welfare and allows hens to be kept in barren battery cages. |
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The Soil Association Organic Standard provides the highest welfare standards in the UK e.g.: smaller flock sizes for chickens and prohibiting live export of male dairy calves. |
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Freedom Food is the RSPCA's labelling and assurance scheme dedicated to improving welfare standards for farm animals. It does not guarantee animals are free-range. The scheme covers both indoor and outdoor rearing systems and ensures that greater space and bedding material are provided. |
FREE-RANGE
Animals have access to the outdoors for at least part of their life. There are EU regulations about what free-range means for laying hens and broilers (meat chickens) but there are no EU regulations for free-range pork, so pigs could be indoors for some of their lives.
ORGANIC
A land-based farming system using no chemical fertilisers or pesticides. Animals have outdoor access and often live in higher welfare systems e.g. later weaning of piglets. There are currently nine different organisations who can give organic certification. The best one on animal welfare is the Soil Association.
SUPERMARKET STANDARDS
Supermarkets may have their own standards which are better than others e.g.: Waitrose and M&S, whose basic level meat and poultry generally have a higher standard of welfare. Beware of claims like ‘Farm Fresh’ which may sound like higher welfare products but are not. Check the label or ask store attendants for more details if you are unsure of how the animal has really been kept.
