Archive Article: 2002/04/19
FREEDOM Food, the RSPCAs farm animal welfare assurance scheme, established the Alastair Mews Award in 1998 to recognise individuals and companies who have made an outstanding contribution to welfare.
This years awards are open to the whole industry, recognising that improvements to farm animal welfare are not only made by Freedom Food scheme members.
Entries are requested in the following four categories, the winner of each will be nominated for the award.
• Producer groups – where innovation or change has been introduced across the groups whole supplier base.
• Individual farmers – where positive changes have been made in a single herd or flock, either as part of a group or independently.
• Handling/transport of farm animals post-farm – hauliers and abattoirs who have improved aspects of transport, handling and slaughter.
• Freedom Food Member – As well as entering one of the above
categories, Freedom Food members will also automatically be entered into this category.
The overall winner will receive the coveted Alastair Mews Award, as well as a £2500 bursary to be used for research or training into further farm animal welfare improvements. Each of the category winners will receive an award and a special farm gate sign. All winners will receive coverage in The Daily Telegraph and farmers weekly, as well as exposure in the relevant local and trade press.
Freedom Food are also offering a free consultation and assessment for all short-listed entrants, both members and non-members, giving the opportunity to use the expertise and knowledge of Freedom Food approved assessors. *
Norfolk-based LSB Pigs won the Alastair Mews Award in 2000 for its ingenious use of sun-reactive paint. The paint keeps pig arcs cool on sunny days and reduced sunburn and heatstroke in its 850-sow outdoor herd. Herd owner Robert Battersby and manager Robert McGregor were concerned about heat stress during hot, sunny days, with temperature inside arcs reaching 40C or more, resulting in heat exhaustion during farrowing, higher piglet mortality and reduced boar fertility. With the bursary, LSB Pigs are exploring problems in the poultry industry and looking at the possible benefits of reducing temperatures in laying hen and broiler housing. Anyone interested in testing the paint should contact Stock Aid (01485-528578).
HOW TO ENTER:
Either fill in the coupon and return by Freepost or visit www.fwi.co.uk to access a full entry form and awards conditions.
First name …………………………… Surname ……………………………………..
Company ………………………………………………………………………………….
Address ……………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………….. Postcode …………………………………….
Please complete this form and return to: Freedom Food Ltd, Freepost SEA 4653, Horsham, West Sussex, RH13 9BR (0870-7540014).