23-01-2017
Waitrose sees fifth year at top of Business Benchmark in Farm Animal Welfare
We were pleased to see Waitrose ranked - for the fifth year running - in the top tier of the Business Benchmark in Farm Animal Welfare, a leading global animal welfare audit which assesses food businesses worldwide on their apporach to animal welfare practices.
We were extremely pleased to see
Waitrose ranked in Tier 1 by the Business Benchmark in Farm Animal Welfare, a
global assessment of food companies which assesses businesses based on their
animal welfare practices and reporting.
Waitrose, who are our primary
customer, were ranked in Tier One, representing a ‘leadership’ position amongst
the companies surveyed – this is the fifth successive year they have achieved
this distinction. Waitrose were also one of just five candidates in the highest
tier.
The Business Benchmark in Farm Animal
Welfare, now in its fifth year, 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 nearly 100 leading
global food companies based on their management and reporting of animal welfare
practices.
The 2016 report included 99
companies, an increase of 12 from the previous year. Waitrose were among 35 retailers included in the survey, and one of only
two retailers to achieve top tier status.
Discussing the outcome of the 2016 report, BBFAW
Executive Director, Nicky Amos, said: “With
26 companies moving up at least one tier since 2015, there is a clear
indication that the food industry is finally starting to treat farm animal
welfare as an important business issue”.
BBFAW
Advisor, Rory Sullivan, commented: “The
Benchmark shows that investors are key agents of change. They are sending a
clear signal to companies that they expect food companies to effectively manage
the systemic risks and opportunities posed by farm animal welfare, and it is
clear that companies are responding to these expectations”.
Compassion in World Farming’s CEO, Philip Lymbery added: “We have witnessed some monumental market shifts for animal
welfare since the last BBFAW report. Stakeholders and investors are pushing
this progress forwards, reflecting the wishes of the vast majority of consumers
today. It is increasingly clear that this is an issue which cannot be ignored
by companies and we congratulate those that are moving up the ranking and
driving progress in animal welfare across the food industry.
As a business which emphasises the highest standard of animal welfare, both on
farm and in our lairages, we are proud to be among the Waitrose suppliers recognised
by this ranking – we would like to congratulate our livestock team and
producers for their efforts in this arena. We would also like to congratulate
Waitrose on once again getting their outstanding work in the animal welfare
sector recognised.