News

Waitrose calls on consumers to support high welfare standards in pig farming

29 January 2009

Waitrose research reveals lack of awareness about EU pig intensive farming. Half of pork consumers (50%) in Scotland claim they will now stop buying imported pork.

Waitrose is calling on consumers to support high welfare standards and buy British after new research has revealed that nearly three quarters of Scottish consumers (72%) are unaware of the awful conditions the majority of imported pigs are reared in.

In addition, 82% of consumers are unaware that well over half the pork consumed in the UK is imported from other European Countries. According to the British Pig Executive, the abysmal welfare standards that three quarters of these pigs are reared in would be illegal in the UK.
 
The majority of Europe’s pigs live their entire lives on slatted, concrete floors with no straw and no daylight; piglets are castrated without pain relief and pregnant sows are kept in a narrow metal cage in which they can only move a few inches back and forwards. These pigs are subject to muscle weakness, digestive illnesses, cardiovascular problems and many display signs of severe psychological problems, stress and frustration.
 
After hearing about the low welfare standards of EU pigs, 50% of regular pork consumers in Scotland claim they will now stop buying imported pork. This could have a devastating impact on the pig import market but would be great news for welfare standards and the British pork industry.
 
YouGov surveyed 2,200 UK adults on behalf of Waitrose in advance of the Jamie Oliver programme investigating pig welfare standards, which is due to air on Channel 4 at 9pm tonight, Thursday 29th January.

An overwhelming 90% of all Scottish consumers surveyed said they want clear labels on pork to provide information on the conditions the pig was reared in and identify the country of origin. At present, a loophole in the law means retailers are legally entitled to label foreign meat as British if it has been processed here, so concerned consumers could be eating this meat without even knowing it.

Waitrose Managing Director Mark Price said: “Waitrose has always led the way in high animal welfare standards. We were the first UK retailer to stop stocking imported bacon in November 2008 and now 100% of Waitrose fresh pork, bacon and sausages are British*. We pride ourselves on knowing where every one of our pigs has come from - a claim few other retailers can make.
 
“There is still a real lack of awareness about the volume of imported pork and the fact that most of these pigs have been reared in intensive farming conditions. Our research proves that, when given clear information, British people are willing to make buying decisions based on welfare standards.

“UK pork may cost a little more but you can enjoy your bacon roll with a clear conscience and rest assured that you are also supporting the British pig industry.” 

Summary of figures for Scotland

• 90 per cent of Scots support clear labelling of pork, stating country of origin and information on conditions in which pig has lived (highest in UK compared to base 85%)
• 50 per cent  of people in Scotland plan to stop buying EU-imported pork as a result of finding out that pigs on the majority of EU farms are “reared in cramped conditions, never seeing daylight and sleeping on a hard floor with no straw” (lowest in UK compared to base 57%)
• 30 per cent of people in Scotland thought it was incorrect that “pigs on the majority of EU farms outside Britain are reared in cramped conditions never seeing the light of day and sleeping on a hard floor with no straw” (highest in UK compared to base of 21%)
  

Ends

Notes to editors

* The only non-UK meat Waitrose sells are authentic continental meats such as salami.

1. All Waitrose pork is reared by a select group of British farmers who are known personally to the buying team. The farms produce pigs specifically for Waitrose and work within producer groups to ensure standards of welfare and husbandry.   All Waitrose British pork can be traced back to the group of farms where the pigs were reared. The meat is processed as a batch to ensure product integrity throughout the supply chain.

2. Piglets are born outdoors to a specially bred sow that has been developed for outdoor production and thrives in an outdoor environment. All Waitrose breeding sows are free range and live their entire life outdoors with access to straw filled arcs and tents on free draining sandy soil. At farrowing each sow is given her own individual hut for raising her litter until weaning at 4 weeks of age. Once the piglets are weaned at four weeks old, they’re brought indoors to light, airy sheds, with plenty of straw to sleep on.

3. Waitrose, which unlike most other supermarkets buys the whole carcass to ensure that farmers get a fair return, is now aiming to re-connect Britons with the lesser-known cuts of meat to help shoppers make the most of their grocery spend.   Because of this whole carcass policy, customers can be assured that lesser known cuts of meat come from exactly the same carcasses as more expensive cuts ensuring similarly high standards of farming and animal welfare.

4. Natalie Mitchell and Anna Lloyd who work in our Meat Buying team are both available for interviews over the phone or via ISDN.

5. All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc.  Total sample size was 2200 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between  23rd - 26th January 2009.  The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).

For further information please contact

Giselle Dye Pagoda PR, 0131 556 0770 giselle.dye@pagodapr.com or the Waitrose Press office

Jess Hughes: 01344 824294 or 07764 676 850
Email: jess_hughes@waitrose.co.uk

Amy Hayward: 01344 825 026 or 07764 676 856
Email: amy_hayward@waitrose.co.uk