Animal welfare

PigsTwo-thirds of consumers say they think animal welfare is an important issue, and over half of the population is currently making at least one or two purchase decisions as a result of their attitude to animal welfare standards. You can respond to these concerns by buying local or British meat produced to higher animal welfare standards, such as certified organic, free range poultry products, and RSPCA Freedom Food certified food. The Red Tractor Assured standard also assures good welfare to above minimum UK legal standards.

Restaurants interested in speciality menus may also like to consider buying ‘rare breed’ meat from native British breeds of livestock, to support genetic diversity and traditional farming practices.

Support high standards of animal welfare

  • The London 2012 Food Vision commits the London 2012 organisers to using only free-range eggs (being also Lion Mark eggs, to assure that they are British and produced to high safety standards), Red Tractor Assured meat and dairy, and a proportion of pork and chicken products from higher standards of animal welfare such as RSPCA Freedom Food and organic. You can too! Sign up to the Food Legacy pledge.
  • Buy meat, eggs, dairy products and farmed fish from food producers that guarantee higher standards of animal welfare, such as Freedom Food certified food and organic certified food. You can find suppliers on the local and sustainable food directories promoted through this website.
  • Demonstrate your commitment. Win a Good Egg Award for using free-range eggs, and work towards a Good Chicken Award and a Good Pig Award (when these are launched in 2012), all run by the independent animal welfare charity Compassion in World Farming.
  • If you use only whole eggs from barn, free-range or organic hens, get involved with the Simply Ask campaign (run by RSPCA Freedom Food) that lists pubs, restaurants and other eateries that use eggs from cage-free hens. Email Freedom Food to find out more: simplyask@freedomfood.co.uk and see the website at: www.simplyask.org.uk

 

What is healthy and sustainable food?

Follow the links below, to find out about support or advice to help turn good food ideas into action:

Join up Assured Food Standards Local and seasonal food Animal welfare Good food for good health
Food waste Sustainable fish Environmental farming Fairtrade Reducing energy
Reducing water use Safe food Public sector food Good food training Living Wage

 

Please note that the Food Legacy 2012 programme is not involved with the catering contracts or food supply for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games themselves.
This is the responsibility of the London 2012 organisers. Our work is inspired by, but independent of London 2012.