Food companies fail to deliver on animal welfare promises

Many of the world’s largest food companies are failing to turn animal welfare commitments into consistent action on farm, according to a new global benchmark.

The latest Business Benchmark on Farm Animal Welfare (BBFAW), which assesses 149 leading food businesses, found widespread ambition to improve standards, but says progress across supply chains remains slow.

Several UK-based firms, including Greggs, Marks & Spencer, Premier Foods and Waitrose, were ranked among the top global performers.

See also: Shoppers would pay more for higher-welfare meat, study finds

Others such as Asda, Aldi, Cranswick, Hilton Food Group and LDC Groupe improved their ratings this year.

Compassionate food systems

The BBFAW report [open as PDF] highlights some gains, particularly in egg production.

About 71% of companies with eggs in their supply chains now report progress towards cage-free sourcing, up from 67% last year.

Meanwhile, 69% have set targets to eliminate cages for laying hens.

However, of the 96 companies with cage-free commitments, only 17 (18%) report that all their eggs are now sourced from cage-free systems.

Similarly, while more firms are setting targets to phase out farrowing crates for sows, this still applies to just 13% of companies.

Nicky Amos, executive director of BBFAW, said: “This year’s benchmark results show that while many companies have set a course for a food system that is more compassionate, resilient and fit for the future, progress remains slow.”

The findings also point to gaps in antibiotics stewardship, with only 40% of companies committing to end routine preventative use, despite ongoing concerns over antimicrobial resistance.

Direct implications

For farmers, the pace of change higher up the supply chain has direct implications.

While welfare expectations are rising, inconsistent delivery and unclear market signals can make it difficult to justify investment in new systems.

In the pig sector, there has been a gradual shift away from conventional farrowing crates, with more companies setting targets to adopt alternative systems.

Katie Jarvis, chief policy adviser at the National Pig Association, said: “It is not surprising to see the number of businesses that have made welfare commitments around breeding sows rising, as the British industry is well under way with a voluntary transition away from conventional farrowing crates towards flexible farrowing systems.

“This transition will take time and significant investment, and will require the planning reform promised by government.”

She added that continued progress would depend on support from both government and the supply chain to ensure farmers can invest with confidence.

British Egg Industry Council chief executive Nick Allen said the welfare of laying hens is of paramount importance to British egg producers, regardless of system of production.

And while ending male chick culling is the goal for the industry, the report overlooks the fact there are no practical solutions available at present “until day-zero technology is further developed”.

Furthermore, it doesn’t acknowledge that “male chicks are not waste, but a valuable source of food for specialist supply chains, including zoos and bird of prey centres”.

Overall, the BBFAW findings suggest that, while the direction of travel is clear, delivering higher welfare standards at scale will require stronger incentives, clearer policies, and long-term commitment across the food chain.