Waitrose is considered a leader in animal welfare. Photo: www.markmackenzie.co.uk
He said adding clear animal welfare labels would be key before ministers strike new trade deals with countries where standards are not as high.
Mr Bailey added: “The UK is avoiding chlorinated chicken as a trade deal with the US never came to fruition, but without proper safeguards we could see battery-raised chickens from the Asia-Pacific region undermining UK agriculture.”
The UK has one of the highest animal welfare standards in the world, with 95% of its chickens achieving guaranteed Red Tractor status. This means that his farms are subject to stringent bird health and welfare checks.
The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) was close to introducing a similar labeling system for chicken and pork products, which the ministers said would “ensure that consumers can distinguish between products that meet or exceed the UK's high welfare standards”.
This would include sorting products into different levels of wealth based on how they were produced. The shake-up has received support from groups including the RSPCA, which said a separate mandatory egg labeling scheme, which requires producers to label them as caged, barn-raised or free-range eggs, has led more people to opt for higher-welfare options and spur demand for these products.
However, the government said last week that now is not the right time to start formal consultations, despite earlier ministerial statements that buyers face barriers to finding goods made to UK welfare standards or higher.
Mr Bailey, however, said it's important that customers can see “how the food is made and whether it meets their standards and values.”
Waitrose is considered a leader in animal welfare and was the first major store to sell only free-range eggs in 2008.
Mr Bailey said prices were important to buyers at a time when many households were suffering from a living wage shortage.
Supermarket profits are falling despite rising prices. Total Industry Operating Profit
He added, however, “Focusing only on price puts everyone in a race to the bottom; building food systems that only care about the lowest possible cost, regardless of the long-term consequences for the planet.”
A spokesperson for Defra said in response to comments: “We pride ourselves on having some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world.”
“We will continue to work with farmers and supermarkets to improve consumer food information and support the production of healthier and happier animals through our Animal Health and Welfare Pathway.”
The UK faces a race to the bottom in food standards James Bailey, Chief Executive Waitrose
I was optimistic when the Government Food Strategy included proposals to help shoppers define animal welfare standards for the meat we buy in supermarkets.
This has made it possible to radically improve animal welfare labeling – for British and imported products – so that consumers can see exactly how food is produced and whether it meets their standards and values.
Therefore, it is a huge disappointment that government consultations on welfare labeling have been discontinued and will not be included in the code of laws anytime soon.
I care about this because Waitrose is the number one animal welfare supermarket. Our unwavering conviction is that animals should live a good life in good conditions that allow them to exhibit natural behaviour. Customers deserve to know where the meat on their dining table comes from and how it lived.
James Bailey says food from bad sources could undermine British farmers
British farms generally have higher welfare standards than some of their counterparts in Europe and beyond. Transparent and consistent labeling across all supermarkets would help protect British farmers by preventing British standards from being lowered by lower welfare imports.
I also hoped that better information would help people vote with their wallets and wallets demanding more animal-friendly ways of farming. We have seen this happen since the introduction of mandatory labeling of eggs so that buyers know which eggs are free range.
It would also provide better protection for UK farmers as the government signs trade agreements around the world where food standards can be lower.
The UK is avoiding chlorinated chicken as a trade deal with the US never came through, but without proper safeguards we could see battery-raised chickens from Asia Pacific region, undermining British agriculture.
It's fair to ask: how much does wealth matter right now, given the enormous cost of living pressure?
Of course price matters. But focusing only on price puts everyone in a race to the bottom; creating food systems that only care about the lowest possible cost, regardless of the long-term consequences for the planet.
The current way of thinking and working is not sustainable in the long term and does not contribute to the food security and sustainability of UK agriculture. We must care more and do better than that.
Every British pig raised for Waitrose is born outdoors on straw. If you see the pigs being raised for us in the countryside with their familiar arc hiding places, it looks natural and there is no cruel confinement here. We are also working to raise the standards for pork, which is used in deli meats for our Continental Deli.
And we don't just select the best cuts to benefit from high welfare. For us, this is a philosophy and something that we want all our clients to share. We apply these standards, whether it's a pork steak for Sunday lunch, a pack of bacon, or the irreplaceable Waitrose sausage.
We want to do the right thing, and there are a growing number of buyers who want to make informed choices. Therefore, it is critical that they are provided with clear and consistent information to help them make their choice.
We will not stop highlighting the high standards our farmers ensure throughout our range, from fresh British milk, newly developed free-range, which gives dairy cows the opportunity to graze for at least half a year, to higher welfare chicken, which is used in all of our products, from sandwiches to pies.
In the absence of legislation, we encourage other supermarkets to follow suit in raising welfare and information standards. And if you want to see it for yourself, you can follow Waitrose Farmers on social media. We are proud of the relationships we have with our suppliers, which is why we have provided them with a platform to share their work life with everyone.
There's no better time to prioritize the lives of animals and food shoppers.
James Bailey – Executive Director of Waitrose
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