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Quentin Clark, Heather Jenkins and Duncan Sinclair at the Compassion in World Farming award ceremony (Photo: Waitrose/FIS)
Waitrose Wins Crown for Animal Welfare
(UNITED KINGDOM, 7/29/2010)
Leading animal welfare charity Compassion in World Farming has named Waitrose as the United Kingdom's Most Compassionate Supermarket 2009/10.
The desirable accolade was awarded to Waitrose because of its ongoing commitment to high standards of farm animal welfare.
During a ceremony at St. Paul's Cathedral in London, Waitrose was singled out for its overall score in Compassion's latest supermarket survey. Specific areas of excellence included being 'streets ahead' in the standards of welfare stipulated in its pork supply chain. Waitrose was also praised for giving its dairy cows access to pasture during the grazing season along with plenty of bedding when indoors.
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| Waitrose source all fish from sustainable and well-managed fisheries or from responsibly farmed aquaculture operations |
The retailer was also noted as the first UK supermarket to move entirely to British pork and for having 'near perfect' welfare standards for farmed fish.
Comments Quentin Clark, Waitrose Head of Sustainability and Ethical Sourcing: 'A belief in the very highest standards of animal welfare is right at the heart of the way we do business. Our customers too always expect us to treat animals fairly and with respect at all times and we make an enormous effort to make sure this trust is well placed.'
The exacting animal welfare standards that Waitrose asks of its farmers and suppliers were subject to a rigorous examination by Compassion in World Farming. To score top marks for farm animal welfare, Waitrose had to demonstrate success in a broad range of areas, ranging from stocking densities, freedom to express natural behaviour and the overall wellbeing of animals.
Steve McIvor, Director of Food Business at Compassion in World Farming, said: 'Waitrose's Most Compassionate Supermarket Award is part of our wider awards programme - a vital tool that allows us to engage with organisations to celebrate and recognise all the good work they are doing. Waitrose is the supermarket with the highest overall score on farm animal welfare and the best performer in nearly every species category. The positive engagement we've had with Waitrose has helped us to meet our main aim which is to place farm animal welfare at the heart of the food industry.'
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| CIWF Good Chicken Award |
It's the third time that Waitrose has been crowned Most Compassionate Supermarket with previous wins in 2003/4 and 2005/6. Each award has recognised that Waitrose has the overall highest farm animal welfare standards of any UK supermarket.
Comments Waitrose Agriculture Manager Duncan Sinclair, 'The hard work and dedication of the agricultural teams to ensure the highest standard of farm animal welfare has been truly recognised with this award.'
Compassion in World Farming has also awarded Waitrose with a sought-after Good Chicken Award. The Awards celebrate food companies who are raising the standard across their ranges of chicken to higher welfare indoor or free-range/organic.
About Waitrose
Waitrose has 231 shops in England, Scotland and Wales. The latest Kantar data (12 weeks ending 13 June 2010) shows Waitrose achieving year-on-year growth of 11.2 per cent - more than three times the market average, and increasing its market share
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| Waitrose has over 230 shops in the UK |
to 4.21 per cent.
Its strong performance has been driven by the introduction of the new essential Waitrose range, the successful conversion of Somerfield-acquired stores and free delivery driving rapid online growth. Waitrose combines the convenience of a supermarket with the expertise and service of a specialist shop - dedicated to offering quality food that has been responsibly sourced combined with high standards of customer service.
Compassion in World Farming
Compassion in World Farming was founded over 40 years ago in 1967 by a British dairy farmer who became concerned by the development of modern, intensive factory farming.
Today, Compassion campaigns peacefully to end all cruel factory farming practices. They believe that the biggest cause of cruelty on the planet deserves a focused, specialised approach - so only work on farm animal welfare.
Since launching in 2007, Compassion in World Farming’s Food Business Team has pioneered a unique partnership approach - working with the European food industry to encourage and reward commitment, transparency, performance and innovation in the field of animal welfare.
Compassion works with some of the world’s top food companies in all sectors, inspiring progress through prestigious awards and supporting products and initiatives which represent tangible benefits for both farm animals and businesses. As a result, these organisations collectively benefit millions of farm animals each year and are actively leading the movement towards more ethical and sustainable food supply.
Photos: Waitrose
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Margaret E.L. Stacey
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