Tesco claims to toe the line on pig welfare

By FWi staff

TESCO has announced that as from August all its branded bacon will meet UK welfare standards.

The company claims to have received assurances from all its suppliers that they will meet UK welfare standards on brands. These include Walls, Richmond, Dutch Royal, Danish Crown, Galtee, Tulip, Danepak and Halls.

Since January of this year, Tesco claims to have been operating a level playing field across all own-label fresh pigmeat suppliers for welfare codes.

Pigmeat has conformed to a stall-and-tether-free ban, as well as being free from meat and bonemeal. Castration was also banned on Tescos own label products, says the retailer.

Steve Murrells, Tesco meat category manager, said that his customers have known that all Tesco own-label fresh pigmeat has been produced to British welfare standards for over six months.

“Although we could not pressurise the brands into following our drive for a level playing field, we passed on customer feedback,” said Mr Murrells.

“We are delighted they have now followed our lead. Tesco customers will welcome this development.”