RSPCA: Freedom Food pork sales are up
As number of pigs on Freedom Food farms increase
Freedom Food today announced an increase in pork for the third year running which means that availability of Freedom Food labelled pork is at its highest ever level.
The amount of pork – including sausages, bacon and cooked ham, as well as fresh.
pork – produced to RSPCA welfare standards and carrying the RSPCA’s Freedom Food logo has risen by 200%* over the last three years (between 2009 and 2012), showing that pig welfare is still firmly front of mind for consumers despite the increase in cost of living.
This announcement follows news that McDonald’s has become the first high street restaurant chain to use 100% Freedom Food pork across its UK menu, making it the second largest buyer of Freedom Food pork products.
New research released by McDonald’s yesterday reveals that three quarters of people say they prefer to buy food from farms with high standards of animal welfare in place, and animal welfare ranks alongside price and traceability as the top factors behind their food purchasing decisions (March 2013).
The increase in Freedom Food labelled pork is mirrored by an upsurge in the number of pigs under the scheme. Over the last three years Freedom Food has seen an almost 50% rise with around 948,000 more pigs being reared in 2012, compared to 2009**.
David Squair, chief executive for Freedom Food, said: “This means that nearly a third of all British farmed pigs are now being reared under Freedom Food where they benefit from the RSPCA’s higher welfare standards, which is great progress.
“It is clear that British consumers remain firmly committed to farm animal welfare, despite the difficult economic climate. This news also reinforces the fact that people really do have the power to bring about positive changes to farm animals’ lives through what they buy at the supermarket and choose to eat in restaurants.
“The more people demand higher welfare, the more farmers will rear to higher welfare standards and the more animals will benefit from better lives.”
There are now 420 different Freedom Food labelled pork products – including sausages, bacon and cooked ham, as well as fresh pork – available in UK supermarkets.
According to The Co-operative’s latest annual report, Ethical Consumerism (December 2012), ethical food sales continue to grow, with a rise of 4.66% in 2011. Freedom Food labelled products are one of the biggest winners – showing growth in 2010/11 of 17.32%.
Online adverts promoting Freedom Food will run for one week from Monday 22 April.
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*Figures are based on license fee income for use of the Freedom Food logo
**Animal numbers correct as of March 2013
Notes to editors:
Key differences between Freedom Food and the industry assurance scheme for pigs:
— Flooring and bedding: Freedom Food (FF) – all classes, ages and sizes of pigs must have solid, bedded lying areas
Industry – allows fully slatted floors for some classes, ages and sizes of pigs, and doesn’t require bedding for all pigs
· Farrowing crates: FF – are not permitted for new members and existing members must phase them out by the end of 2013. Existing members can only confine sows for up to 5 days.
Industry – use of farrowing crates up to weaning (usually 28 days post farrowing) is allowed
· Nesting: FF – farrowing sows must be given bedding that allows nesting behaviour
Industry – no nesting material or bedding specified for indoor sows
· Environmental Enrichment: FF – pigs must at all times have access to a sufficient quantity of straw or other suitable media to allow and encourage proper expression of rooting, pawing, mouthing and chewing behaviours
Industry – enrichment is required but this can simply be objects such as footballs, deformable plastic pipes and chains with wood attached. Material such as straw which allows proper expression of natural behaviour is not required
· Livestock Markets: FF – no FF labelled pork will have come from pigs that have been through livestock markets
Industry – permitted for pigs provided they move directly from market to slaughter
· Tail Docking: FF – only permitted if there is evidence that injuries to pigs have occurred, or are likely to occur, as a result of not docking and if other measures have been attempted in order to reduce biting through means other than docking . The farmer must get permission from their vet and the RSPCA before docking can take place. Tail docking is not permitted for free range pigs.
· Industry – is allowed but this practice must be regularly reviewed. Farmers must take measures to improve environmental enrichment or management to reduce the risk and incidence of tail biting.
Freedom Food:
— Freedom Food was set up by the RSPCA in 1994 to help improve the lives of animals farmed for food and act as a catalyst for change throughout the food and farming industry. It is a registered charity and non-profit making
— Freedom Food labelled pork come from farms that are assessed to strict RSPCA welfare standards which go beyond the industry standards and legislation in many key welfare areas
— Freedom Food approves outdoor reared, outdoor bred, indoor reared and free range pig farms where the RSPCA’s standards are met
— All Freedom Food pork members (including hauliers, processors, packers and abattoirs as well as farms) receive annual assessments, and are also subject to visits by RSPCA farm livestock officers to check standards are maintained
— Traceability checks are also carried out on Freedom Food labelled products from supermarket shelf back to farm – through processor, packer, abattoir and haulier – to ensure the product is correctly labelled
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Freedom Food press officer: Rebecca Lenik on 01403 801283
RSPCA, Wilberforce Way, Southwater, Horsham, West Sussex RH13 9RS
Press office direct lines: 0300 123 0244/0288 Fax: 0303 123 0099
Duty press officer (evenings and weekends) Tel 08448 222888 and ask for pager number 828825
Email: press@rspca.org.uk Website: www.rspca.org.uk
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