Now in its fourth year, the Business Benchmark in Farm Animal Welfare is compiled in association with leading animal welfare charities Compassion in World Farming and World Animal Protection, and private equity firm Collier Capital. The report assesses 90 leading global food companies – including 32 retailers and wholesalers - based on their management and reporting of animal welfare practices.

Waitrose were one of just four candidates in the top tier, representing a ‘leadership’ position among the companies assessed. Companies in Tiers 1 and 2 are stated to have made, ‘strong commitments to farm animal welfare, have well developed management systems and processes and have a clear focus on farm animal welfare performance measures.’  



Reflecting on the results of the 2015 report, BBFAW Executive Director, Nicky Amos, said: “The results show that it is realistic for companies across the world and in all sub-sectors (retailers, wholesalers, restaurants, bars and producers) to aspire to and achieve high scores in the Benchmark and to recognise the responsibility they hold for the welfare of animals in their supply chains.  

Rory Sullivan, BBFAW Expert Advisor said: “For the first time we are seeing global investors actively engage with companies to encourage them to improve their practices and reporting on farm animal welfare. The annual Benchmark provides a strong incentive for companies to improve their disclosure and to account for their performance. As we build investor awareness and understanding of systemic risks and opportunities posed by farm animal welfare, we expect to see investor interest and, critically, action, to increase over time.”  




We are delighted to see Waitrose receive such a prestigious and well deserved accolade once again, and are proud to be one of the supply chains recognised by this award. Recognising and implementing outstanding animal welfare and good livestock husbandry is one of the pillars upon which we have built our business, and is a shared value upon which we have built a 20 year working relationship with Waitrose – thanks to our livestock team and to our producers for their continued hard work.