UK retailer Waitrose has introduced that each one its own-brand continental charcuterie merchandise now meet greater animal welfare requirements.
From well-liked staples like salami and chorizo to pizza toppings and its premium No.1 Antipasto Misto, all Waitrose own-brand continental meat is now sourced from animals reared beneath enhanced welfare situations, the retailer mentioned.
To ensure these requirements, Waitrose has partnered with farmers who not solely excel in continental charcuterie manufacturing but additionally keep conventional, high-welfare farming practices, it famous.
The grocery store initially carried out greater welfare requirements amongst its Italian suppliers two years in the past, pushed by sturdy buyer demand for Italian meats.
This focus has since expanded to embody producers from Germany, France, and Spain who additionally meet Compassion in World Farming’s Good Pig Award standards.
In consequence, Waitrose is now the one UK grocery store chain to supply 100% higher-welfare own-label continental charcuterie.
‘Cultural Shift’
Commenting on the transfer, Elle Vercoe-Gibson, ethics and sustainability agriculture supervisor at Waitrose, mentioned, “It’s been an actual cultural shift for a few of our suppliers on the continent, as a lot of their home prospects don’t prioritise greater welfare. However at Waitrose, we’re devoted to elevating animal welfare requirements – by doing this, not solely do the pigs profit, however the farmers additionally know that animal care goes hand in hand with high quality and style. Welfare will at all times be our primary precedence.”
The transfer has been lauded by animal welfare organisations, with Louise Valducci, head of meals enterprise (Europe) at Compassion in World Farming, congratulating the retailer for its “ongoing dedication to working with suppliers throughout Europe to boost welfare requirements for continental pigs.
“By offering pigs with extra space, significant enrichment, and freedom from crates for sows, they’re setting a excessive benchmark for accountable farming that others can observe.”
Waitrose has urged different retailers to undertake related moral sourcing practices for charcuterie throughout Europe and the UK.
