Animal Welfare at Waitrose€¦ · with our authentic continental meats such as Spanish chorizo, German salami, Italian Parma ham and prosciutto and Belgian Pate. These authentic

AnimalWelfareatWaitrose PublishedJuly2017

1

AtWaitrose,webelievethatanimalwelfareandgoodbusinessgohandinhand;thisisnotjustbecauseourcustomersexpectandrelyonustobedoing the right thing. Rearing livestock well and ensuring that highwelfarestandardsapplythroughouttheanimal’slifearevitaltoensuringthequalityofthemeatwesell.So,weworkcloselywithourUKfarmerstoensurethatallthelivestockthatprovidethemeat,eggs,milkandotherlivestock products we sell are reared to the very highest welfarestandards.Thefivefreedomsformthecoreofouranimalwelfarestandardsbutwearealwayslookingatwaysofdevelopingandimprovingthese:• FreedomfromHungerandThirst–byreadyaccesstofreshwaterandadiettomaintainfull

healthandvigour.• FreedomfromDiscomfort–byprovidinganappropriateenvironmentincludingshelteranda

comfortablerestingarea.• FreedomfromPain,InjuryorDisease–bypreventionorrapiddiagnosisandtreatment.• FreedomtoExpressNormalBehaviour–byprovidingsufficientspace,properfacilitiesand

companyoftheanimal’sownkind.• FreedomfromFearandDistress–byensuringconditionsandtreatment,whichavoidmental

suffering.Downloadouranimalwelfaredocument>DownloadouranimalwelfareKPIdocument>Waitrose welfare requirements extend beyond basic Red Tractor Assurance with bespokestandardsthatfarmersmustadhereto;allourUKsupplychainsareindependentlyauditedonaregular basis. Close confinement systems, including farrowing crates and caged hens, are notused and stocking densities are lower than average across the supply chain. Journey times aremuch shorter than the legalmaximum,withWaitrose implementing our ownmaximum traveltimerequirementsforsomesupplychains.

AnimalWelfareatWaitrose


2

Allsupplychainsarecommittedtoeradicatingon-farmmutilationwithproceduressuchas fishfinclipping forbiddenandpig taildockingonlypermittedwithveterinaryrecommendation.Wearecommittedtofindingalternativestoallformsoflivestockmutilation.Production is kept as natural as possible by providing environmental and social enrichment,utilisingahigh foragediet for ruminant speciesandensuring thatdairy cowsgraze forat least120 days out of the year. In fact, during 2016 our conventional (non-organic) dairy farmersmanagedtograzetheirherdsforanaverageof167days,withsomeexceeding200days.You can see examples of our key animalwelfare policies – general aswell as by species – andmeasures below, along with key performance indicator graphs showing historical welfareoutcomesacrosssupplychainsthataremonitoredbyourfarmersandprocessors.Allof this isparticularly important toWaitrose,asweneverbuy livestockormeaton theopenmarket.Insteadweonlyworkwithfarmersweknowandtrustandwhoshareourvalues.Our Agriculture Manager, in conjunction with the Waitrose Farming Partnership LivestockSteering Group (WFP LSG), is chargedwith the overall responsibility for animalwelfare in theWaitroseSupplyChain.MembersoftheWSP-LSGarealllivestockexpertsfromWaitroseanditsdedicatedsuppliers.Waitrose and its suppliers have won the Compassion inWorld Farming Good Chicken Award,GoodEggAward,GoodPigAward,GoodDairyAwardandhavebeennamedCiWFCompassionateSupermarket of the Year several times (2004, 2006, 2010, 2011) as well as The Best RetailerAward in2015and2017.Wehavealsobeenawarded theCiWFBestMarketingAward forourDairyGrazingCampaign in2016andaCiWFCageFreeAward forourworkwithourauthenticContinentalSupplyChains.For further details see: https://goodfarmanimalwelfareawards.sharefile.com/d-s7e3df677589490a9In2015,wemovedintothetoptieroftheBBFAWreportingindex.


3

GeneralpoliciesAntibioticsWaitrose recognises the potential risks to human healthcare of the overuse of antibiotics inlivestock supply chains. This iswhy,within theWaitrose supply chain, all antibiotics are usedcarefully,understrictprotocolsandonlyincontrolledcircumstances;entirelyhealthyanimalsarenot routinelygivenantibiotics, theyareonlyused for treating illanimalsor for thosewithpre-existing conditions.Wemaintain that some antibiotics are importantmedicines to hold in theanimal health armoury but they must be used sparingly, under the close supervision of aveterinarysurgeonandonlyasalastresortwhenothercoursesofactionhaveprovedineffectiveand when welfare would be seriously compromised if they weren’t prescribed. This protocolappliestoalloursupplychains,includingaquaculture.Across theWaitrose Supply chain, we have formed a cross species Responsible Animal HealthGroup to share best practice in this area. One specific area of concern is the use of criticallyimportantantibiotics(CIAs),whichwedefineinlinewiththeWorldHealthOrganisation(WHO)recommendationswiththeadditionofColistin.CIAsarerarelyprescribedandnoneofoursupplychains ever use Colistin to treat livestock. All our own label supply chains are working withurgencytowardscontinuousandsignificantyearonyearreductionsinusageofallantibioticsandhavepledgedtoendtheuseofallCIAsassoonaspossible.AuditingandcomplianceAlloursupplychainsare independentlyauditedandwetakeanynon-complianceofouranimalwelfarerequirementsveryseriouslyindeed.Anyonefoundinseriousbreachofourstandardscanexpecttoberemovedfromoursupplychain.BeaktrimmingThebirds thatprovideourchickenarenotbeak trimmedandweareworkingwithbreedersofourlayinghenstoreducetheneedfortrimminginthoseflocks;80%ofourlayinghensARENOTbeaktrimmedandweareworkingtowards100%ofourlayinghenshavingfullbeaks(hotbladetrimming is not permitted).We are committed to finding alternatives to all forms of livestockmutilation.CloningOur policy states that meat, milk, poultry, fish or egg derived from a cloned animal includingsubsequentgenerationsMUSTNOTbeusedinWaitrosebrandedproducts.CloseconfinementandanimalwelfareWaitrosewasapioneerof and is committed to the removalof close confinement systems fromfarmproduction.None of our own-label British meat or ingredient meat or eggs are sourced from closeconfinement systems. Todaywe pride ourselves on only selling free-range eggs and by havinglower stocking densities than average throughout our supply chains. Furthermore, all ourbreeding sows are free range.WeareworkingwithourContinental suppliers to improve theirsystemswhere needed and to ensure all the animalswe source are from farmswhere the fivefreedomsplayakeyrole.


4

InrecognitionofthiswewerearecipientofCompassioninWorldFarming’sinauguralCageFreeAwardin2017.CCTVAllourabattoirsareequippedwithCCTVtoensurewelfarestandardsaremaintained.Footageisindependentlyreviewedonaregularbasis.ContinentalmeatsTheuse of authentic ingredients is very important to our customers and this is especially truewithourauthenticcontinentalmeatssuchasSpanishchorizo,Germansalami,ItalianParmahamandprosciuttoandBelgianPate.These authentic products are sourced from known and approved supply chains subjected toindependent inspectionandverificationprotocols.Theyareproducedtowelfarestandards thatexceedEuropeanlegislation.Wehavedevelopedourcontinentalpigschemeoverthepast10years,beinglargelybasedontheRedTractorAssurancebaselinestandard.Weemployarigorousandrobustauditandapprovalprogrammesothatonlythebestfarmsareabletosupplyus.Ourschemeisbaseduponthefivefreedomsdetailedabove.Along-termpartnershipbetweenWaitroseanditssupplierhasresultedinCompassioninWorldFarmingawardingaGoodPigAwardtoamajorItalianproducerforthefirsttime.Fumagalli,a4thgenerationfamilybusinessbasednearLakeComoinNorthernItaly,workwithWinterbotham Darby to exclusively supplyWaitrose with the supermarkets’ own label Italiancharcuterie.This awardhasbeengiven in recognitionof theworkFumagallihas carriedout toraisethebarforpigwelfareattheirfarmswithafive-yearcommitmenttomeetinghigherwelfarestandards.Furthermore,followingthedevelopmentofthesehighwelfarestandardsinItaly,WinterbothamDarbyarenowimplementingthesamestandardsforcontinentalmeatacrossSpain,France,andBelgium while their Spanish Iberico supplier has recently been awarded the Good SowCommendation.OurworkinthisareahasseenusreceiveaninauguralCompassioninWorldFarming’sCageFreeAward.GrazingWepledgethatallcowsproducingmilkforWaitrosewillspendaminimumof120dayseachyeargrazingonpasture. Inpractice,ourdairycowswillgraze for far longer than120days/yearbutthis new pledge sets in stone a minimum standard, strengthening our commitment to animalwelfareandensuringalevelofconsistencyacrossourdairyfarms.Wearetheonlysupermarkettomakethispledge.During2016,ourconventionaldairyherdsweregrazedforanaverageof167days.Someofourfarmersmanagedtograzetheirherdsformorethan200days.GrowthpromotersTheuseofgrowthpromotersisstrictlyprohibitedacrossallourlivestocksupplychains.


5

MarketingWe’reproudofouranimalwelfareworkandtheaccoladeswe’vewonandthat’swhyweputthemat the heart of our 2016 marketing campaign. To see the videos visit our youtube channel >WaitroseTVAdvert–livefootagefromIcelandicfishingboats,cutstofreshlycookedfishdish.Adayatafreerangefarm–interviewandcollectedfootagefeaturingRachelRiversdiscussinglifeasaWaitroseeggfarmerandheruseofalpacasasbuddyanimals.Adayatadairyfarm–interviewandfootageofadayinthelifeofDavidHomer,Waitrosedairyfarmer. Shows cows being turned out for the season, and end with Waitrose milk displayedagainsttheslogan,'Everythingwedogoesintoeverythingyoutaste.'Watchour360videoofferingpanoramicviewofhensatRachelRiversfarm>WatchourDairycows360videoonDavidHomers'farm>WatchourCowCamfootage-fromaGo-ProattachedtoMo,oneofDavidHomerscattle>MutilationAllsupplychainsarecommittedtoeradicatingon-farmmutilationwithproceduressuchas fishfinclipping forbiddenandpig taildockingonlypermittedwithveterinaryrecommendation.Weare committed to finding alternatives to all forms of livestockmutilation and althoughwork isongoing,detailsofproceduresbysupplychainisasfollows:• Layinghens–20%beaktrimmed(hotknifemethodisprohibited)• Pigs–75%taildocked.• Organic/freerangepigs–0%taildocked• Pigs–teethareclippedonlyinexceptionalcircumstances<0.5%• Pigs–castration0%• ConventionalTurkeys–100%beaktrimmed(hotknifemethodisprohibited)• OrganicTurkeys-0%beaktrimmed• Fish–0%finclipping• Dairycalves–95%ofretainedstockaredisbudded• Dairycalves–5%polled• HigherWelfarevealcalves:0%disbudded• Adultcattle–20%dehorned• Hotironbranding–0%• BeefCattle(males)–100%castrationNGOsWe are working closely with NGOs such as Compassion in World Farming (ciwf.org.uk),ResponsibleUseofMedicinesinAgricultureAlliance(ruma.org.uk),WorldWideFundforNature(wwf.org.uk),MarineStewardshipCouncil(MSC.org),MarineConservationSociety(MSCUK.org),TheSoilAssociation (soilassociation.org),Clientearth (clientearth.org)onprojects suchaswaystoraiseheavyweightpigswithoutcastrationandthecertificationofallourfishspeciesby2017.Wehavealsoengagedwithawiderangeofstakeholdersontheuseofantibioticsinthelivestock


6

supply chain including the World Health Organisation, the National Farmers Union and theVeterinaryMedicinesDirectorate.


7

Pre-stunningAllthelivestockthatprovidemeatforWaitrosearepre-stunnedbeforeslaughtertoensuretheyareinsensitivetopainbeforebeingkilled.• Cattleandfarmeddeerarestunnedusingcaptivebolt• Lambsareelectricallystunned• PigsareCO2stunnedtokill• PoultryareCO2stunnedtokillAllourfarmedsalmon,seafarmedrainbowtrout,rainbowtrout,browntroutandhalibutarepre-stunnedpriortoslaughter.ResearchanddevelopmentAt Waitrose, we understand that animal welfare never stands still and we have a number ofresearchanddevelopmentprojectsunderwaywithcommercialpartnerstoimprovethewellbeingofanimalsinoursupplychains.Theseinclude(butarenotrestrictedto)researchtoimprove:• SurvivalratesofNewZealandlambthroughgeneticimprovements• Salmonhealthinouraquaculturesystems• Harvestingoffarmedsalmon• Non-lethalpredatordeterrentsonfishfarms• Dairycowlameness• Dairyherdhealthandwelfareproductionbenchmarking• Proactivedairyherdhealthmanagement–e.g.BovineViralDiarrhoeaeradicationplansand

Johne’sdiseaseeradication• Tailbitinginpigs• Kyphosis(humpback)reductioninpiglets• Slaughterwelfareofpigs• Stockingratesforpigs• Relationshipsbetweenfarmersandvets• Stresslevelsincattle–includingwheninthelairage• Pelvicfloormeasurementinheifers• Disbuddingofcattle• Liverflukemonitoringincattle• Airqualityforyoungducklings• Naturaldaylightinduckhouses• Pododermatitisinturkeys• Enhancedfarmbiosecurityinturkeys• Waterhygieneinturkeys• Electricalstunninginpoultry• Rangeenrichmentinpoultry• Featherpeckinginpoultry• Theimplementationoffarmwelfareoutcomes• Biologicalcontrolofsealiceinsalmonfarm

TBreactorsWedonotacceptTBreactorcattleintotheWaitrosesupplychain.


8

Species-specificwelfare BeefcattleOurfarmersworktostrictanimalwelfareprotocolsensuringthehigheststandardsofhusbandryandwelfaretoensurestressfree,naturallyproduced,healthycattle.Duringspringandsummer,cattle are reared on open pasture and during winter protective shelter is made available inbeddedbarns.Cattlearefinishedonanaturalforage-baseddiet.Ifgrassisinshortsupply,cattlearefedothernaturaloptionssuchassilage.Stockingdensitiesarecarefullycontrolledandlowerthanaverage.All bull calves born into our dairy herds move into the beef supply chain through our CattleConnectSchemeandprovideeitherethicalvealorbeefforWaitrose.TransportandslaughterofbeefcattleWelfareofcattlegoingtoslaughterandwhenattheabattoirisoftheutmostimportancetous.AllcattlearetransporteddirectlytotheabattoirbyRedTractorapprovedhauliers.Thisensuresallvehiclesanddriversmeetrequiredstandardstoensureourwelfarestandardsaremet.All our farmersmust be locatedwithin a six-hourdriveof the abattoir;most arewithin afour-hourdrive.ThelegaltimelimitforacattlejourneyintheUKiseighthours.OurabattoirisapprovedbyRedTractor,RSPCAAssuredandtheSoilAssociationandisregularlyinspected. Our slaughter facilities were designed incorporating the ideas of leading animalbehaviouristTempleGrandinandpurposebuilttoensureaquietandstressfreeenvironmentforthecattle.Allstaffmembersinvolvedinthehandlingofcattleattheabattoirmustbetrainedinwelfare friendly animal handling methods and demonstrate a sufficient level of competencebefore being allowed to handle any livestock. Like the rest of our livestock supply chain, a vetinspectstheanimalsonarrivalattheprocessingplant.


9

ChickenOuressentialWaitrosechickenisgrownonfamilyownedfarmsinNorthernIreland.Whatmakes our ‘entry level’ chickendifferent to that available elsewhere is that the birds areraised in houses that provide lots of natural daylight and space when compared with aconventional poultry unit. Thebirds that provide themeat for essentialWaitrose chickenhavearound 25% more space than other birds and we also ensure they have environmentalenrichmenttohelpthemdisplaytheirnaturalbehaviourtoscratch,perchandplay.Strawbalesandperchesaretwoofthetoolsweusetodothis.Beddingisrefreshedregularlyandfreshfoodandwaterareavailableatalltimes.BeaktrimmingisnotcarriedoutinanyflocksthatsupplyWaitrosechicken.Likeallourchicken,essentialWaitrosechickenisraisedonfarmsclosetotheprocessingplant–within45milesinfact.OurOmega3chickenisraisedtoessentialWaitrosewelfarestandards.OurFreeRangeChickenistrulyfreerangeandgivenplentyofroomtoroamoutside,whilebeinghoused in airy, well-lit sheds. These birds are housed at lower stocking densities than ouressentialWaitrosebirds–around10%lessstockperhouse.Theyhavearoundonem/sqperbirdof outdoor space and are a slower growing breed than our conventional chickens. Bedding isrefreshedregularlyandfreshfoodandwaterareavailableatalltimes.Outdoorrangeenrichmentisprovidedbyhedgerowsandtreestofurtherencouragenaturalbehaviours.Waitroseorganicchickensareraisedwiththeloweststockingdensityofallandhavearoundfourm/sq per bird of outdoor space – under our standards they have to spend half of their lifeoutdoors.Organic finishingshedshavepopholesdownthe lengthof thesidewalls,whichallowthebirdsfreeentryandexit.Aconcreteapronoutsidetheshedallowsdroppingstobecleanedupregularly,maintaining litterquality insidetheshed.The insideof theshed isbeddedwithcleanchoppedstraworwoodshavingswhichisrefreshedregularlyand,ofcourse,freshwaterandfeedisavailableatall times.Outdoorrangeenrichment isprovided throughhedgerowsand trees tofurtherencouragenaturalbehaviours.TransportandslaughterofchickensAllourchickensaretransportedtoslaughterbyRedTractorapprovedhauliersandareprocessedinoneofthemostmodernpoultryprocessingplantsinthecountry.Liketherestofourlivestocksupply chain, a vet inspects the birds on arrival at the processing plant. The plant is regularlyauditedtoensureitmeetsWaitrosestandards;itisalsoRedTractorassured.


10

DuchyOriginalsfromWaitroseorganicchickenThesebirdsareonlyavailableinselectedbranchesandareraisedtoOrganicFarmers&GrowersStandards,whichallowthemaccesstotheoutdoorsfortwo-thirdsoftheirlives.

DeerforvenisonAll deer are sourced from specially selected farms in the UK andNew Zealand and are rearedoutdoorsthroughtheyear.InNewZealand,thisisyearround,whileintheUKsomedeermaybehousedinstrawbeddedbarnsduringespeciallybadweatherinwinter.Ourdeerarefedanaturalforagebaseddiet,thebulkofwhichcomprisesgrazedgrassorcloverenrichedswards.TransportandslaughterofdeerAlldeeraretransporteddirectlytotheabattoirusingRedTractorassuredhauliers.Thisensuresallvehiclesanddriversmeetrequiredstandardstoensureourwelfarestandardsaremet.Allstaffmembersinvolvedinthehandlingofdeerattheabattoiraretrainedinwelfarefriendlyanimal handlingmethods andmust demonstrate a sufficient level of competence before beingallowed to handle any livestock. Like the rest of our livestock supply chain, a vet inspects theanimals on arrival at the processing plant.Our deer are slaughtered at a purpose built bespoke facility that allows the deer to expressnaturalbehaviourinastressfreeenvironment.


11

DuckAbroodandmovesystemisthebasisforourfarmingsystem.Birdsarriveonthefarmasday-oldpoultsdirect fromthehatchery.Afteraninitialandcarefullycontrolledbroodingstageofaboutthree weeks, the birds are moved to housing with lots of space and natural light. Stockingdensities are lower than average ensuring that birds have plenty of space to express naturalbehaviour.They also enjoy enrichment such as straw bales. Air quality and temperature are monitoredconstantlytoensurethatthebirdsarekeptcomfortableatalltimes.Every farm has a veterinary health plan and prescription only medicines are only given forspecific reasons, they are never prescribed as a matter of routine. Our high welfare andhusbandrystandardscovertheentiresupplychain,fromparentstockandhatcheryallthewaytoreceptionandhandlingattheprocessingplant.TransportandslaughterofducksJourneytimestoplantareshort–lessthanthreehours–andareundertakeninapurposebuiltlorry.Everyonehandling theducks isappropriately trained inbirdwelfare.Like therestofourlivestocksupplychain,avetinspectsthebirdsonarrivalattheprocessingplant.Theinspectionincludesfarmhealthrecordsandaninspectionoftheflock.Thebirdsarekeptinsmallgroupsinacoveredlairagebeforebeingprocessed.Waitingtimesarekepttoaminimumtoavoidstress.


12

EggsAllWaitroseeggsarelaidbyfree-rangehens;noneofoureggsaresuppliedthroughcagedorbarnsystems.OuressentialWaitroseeggsandBritishBlacktaileggsare laidbyhensthat live intruefree-range systems with plenty of space to exhibit natural behaviours and lots of rangeenrichment toensure theirwellbeing.OurDuchyOriginalOrganicEggsare laidbyorganic freerangeBritishBlacktailhensraisedinorganicsystems.Whatmakesourorganichensdifferent is that they enjoyorganic food frombirth and theyareallowedoutsidefromeightweeksofage.Waitroseonlyusesfree-rangeeggasaningredientinitsproducts.GeeseOurentiresupplychainforgeeseisfreerangeandabroodandmovesystemisthebasisforourfarming system. Birds arrive on the farm as day old poults direct from the hatchery. After aninitial and carefully controlled brooding stage of about threeweeks, the birds aremoved to apaddockwheretheyarefreetoroamandenjoythefreshair.Stockingdensitiesaremanagedtofreerangelevels,ensuringthatbirdshaveplentyofspacetoexpressnaturalbehaviour.Theyalsoenjoyrangeenrichmentsuchasgrassyrangeandstrawbales.Everyfarmhasaveterinaryhealthplan and prescription only medicines are only given for specific reasons, they are neverprescribedasamatterofroutine.Ourhighwelfareandhusbandrystandardscovertheentiresupplychain,fromparentstockandhatcheryallthewaytoreceptionandhandlingattheprocessingplant.


13

TransportandslaughterofgeeseJourneytimestoplantareshort–lessthanthreehours–andareundertakeninapurposebuiltlorry.Everyonehandling thegeese isappropriately trained inbirdwelfare.Like the restofourlivestocksupplychain,avetinspectsthebirdsonarrivalattheprocessingplant.Theinspectionincludesfarmhealthrecordsandaninspectionoftheflock.Thebirdsarekeptinsmallgroupsinacoveredlairagebeforebeingprocessed.Waitingtimesarekepttoaminimumtoavoidstress.EnglishandWelshLambItisaWaitroserequirementthatourlambsarerearedasnaturallyaspossible.Lambsstaywiththeirmothersfrombirthuntilweaning;duringthistime,theysucklenaturallyandliveinfamilygroups.Afterweaning,lambsstaytogetherasagroupbuttheirdietisbasedentirelyongrassandforage.Ifgrassisinshortsupplybecauseofbadweather,thelambsarefedothernaturaloptionssuchasrootcrops.TransportandslaughterofEnglishandWelshlambAll transportation used to carry animals must comply with all regulations in accordance withlegislation,assuranceschemesandourotheranimalwelfareprotocols.Lambs are yarded for two to three hours prior to loading for transport to ensure they arecomfortableandrelaxedintransit.NoWaitroselamb–includingWelsh–willhavetotravelmorethan100milesfromfarmtoslaughter.Manywillhaveonlytravelledaround30miles,hauledbythefarmerswhorearedthem.Lambstransportedfromfurtherawaywill,aswithotherlivestocksupplychains,arecarriedbyRedTractorapprovedhauliers.All abattoirs used for our lamb are regularly independently audited to Red Tractor abattoirstandard toensure thehighwelfarestandardsatall times.Like therestofour livestocksupplychain,avetinspectstheanimalsonarrivalattheprocessingplant.Allourlambsareelectronicallystunnedbeforeslaughter.


14

NewZealandlambOutside of theBritish season,we source lamb from selected farmers inNewZealandwho alsobasetheirfarmstandardsontheFiveFreedoms.Lambshaveaccesstowater,shadeandshelterfromharshweatherandeachfarmismanagedbyatrainedstockperson.Allanimalsarerearedoutsideandreceivemostoftheirnutritionfrompasture.

TransportandslaughterofNewZealandlambWhen being transported for slaughter, all animal movement must comply with the Code ofRecommendationsandMinimumStandardsfortheWelfareofAnimalTransportinNewZealand.This process also includes a driver awareness and training accreditation. This regulates thestockingdensity, journeytimeandsetsrequirementsfortheavailabilityof foodandwater.Liketherestofourlivestocksupplychain,avetinspectstheanimalsonarrivalattheprocessingplant.Allthelambsareelectronicallystunnedbeforeslaughter.1.

MilkWepledgethatallcowsproducingmilkforWaitrosewillspendaminimumof120dayseachyeargrazinginfields.Inpractice,ourdairycowswillgrazeforfarlongerthan120days/yearbutthisnewpledgesetsinstoneaminimumstandard,strengtheningourcommitmenttoanimalwelfareandensuringa levelofconsistencyacrossourdairyfarms.Ourfarmgrazingplansareregularlyreviewed by grassland experts.We are the only supermarket tomake this 120 daysminimumgrazingpledge.


15


16

ConventionalmilkOurWaitroseConventionalMilkSchemeincorporatesexactingstandardstoensurethatthedairycows, at whatever stage of their lives, are treated humanely and with high levels of care andexpertiseinstockhandling.Thedairycattlearerequiredtohaveaccesstograzingforaminimumof 120 days every year. Inwinter, they are sheltered in clean, dry and airy barnswith readilyavailablefoodandwater.Wearecontinuallyreviewingourstandardstoimproveanimalwelfarewhereverwecan.Wehaveabespokeherdhealthplanforuseonfarmthatcoversareassuchasbedding,footcare,medicineuseandabespokenutritionplan.DuchyOriginalsfromWaitroseOrganicmilkOur Duchy Originals fromWaitrose Organic Milk comes from cows raised in organic systems.Theygrazeoutdoorswhenfieldconditionsallowwhileinthewintertheyareshelteredinbright,airy barns. All our organic farms are asked to demonstrate measureable levels of improvinghealthandwelfaremanagedthroughnaturaldietsandlowstockingrates.Like all ourmilk herds, the animals are fed natural diets that according to their physiologicalneeds and their stage of lactation. Farmers focus on breed specific husbandry techniques toensurestressfreecows.Ourfarms’accreditationtoorganicandRedTractorstandardswiththeadditionofourbespokestandardsgivesindependentaccreditationforanimalwelfare.Allsurplusdairybullsbornintoourdairysupplypoolare integratedintoourhighwelfarebeefsupplychainensuringtheyremainintheUK.Goat’smilkLike all Waitrose farmers, great animal welfare is a key priority for our goat farmers. TheyoperatebeyondtherequirementoftheRedTractorAssuranceSchemeandtheirgoatsarehousedin large airy barns and bedded on fresh straw every day. They are housed in social groupsaccording to their stage of production ensuring a known, secure hierarchy allowing plenty ofsocialinteraction.Youngkidsareraisedinspecialistnurseryunitswithgrouphousingtoensuresocialenrichment.Allthebillygoats(male)bornintoourmilkherdsarerearedtoprovidemeatratherthanbeingdestroyedatbirth.


17

PigsAll of the fresh British pork we sell – along with Waitrose sausages, bacon, British ham andgammon–comesfrompigsthatareeitheroutdoorbredoroutdoorreared.PigsthatsupplyouressentialWaitroseporkarebornoutdoors–weneverusefarrowingcratesorcloseconfinementstalls.Weanedpigs – approximately fourweeksold – are finished indoors in strawbedded, light andairybuildings.Nofarmsuseslattedfloorsandallgrowingaccommodationisstrawbased.Alloursupplyingfarmshavealowerstockingdensitythanthepigindustrystandard.Alloursowsspendtheirentirelivesoutdoors.Allthepigfarmsweusemusthaveanemergencyplantodealwithanywatersupplyissuesandcareofanimalsduringextremeweather.Asintherestofoursupplychains,wearecommittedtoeradicatingtheneedforanyveterinarymutilationofourlivestock;inthisregard,weareworkingonresearchtoreducefurthertheneedfortaildocking.Inoursupplychainpigs’tailsaredockedonlywhenrecommendedbyaspecialistveterinarysurgeontopreventtailbiting,withonlythetipremoved.Similarly, the clippingof teeth is only carriedout in exceptional circumstancesunder specialistveterinaryadvicebytrainedstockpersonstoprotectsows’udderswhennecessary.Castrationisnotpermittedandfarrowingcratesarealsoprohibited.FreerangepigsAswithouressentialWaitrosepork,allthesowsarekeptoutdoorstheirentirelivesandliveinstrawfilledarcsandtentsonfreedrainingsandysoils.Atfarrowing,thesowsaregiventheirownspecifichutforraisingthelitteruntilweaningatfourweeksold.Havingbeenbornoutdoors,thegrowingpigsareraisedoutdoorsinpaddocksandallowedtorangefreely.Withineachpaddockthere isastrawbeddedarc forshelter.All farmshavea lowerstockingdensity in linewithourhigherwelfarerequirements.Stockingdensitymustnotexceed25–30adultanimalsperhectare.Taildockingisnotallowedunderthefree-rangesystemastailbitingisnotanissue.


18

DuchyOriginalsfromWaitroseandWaitroseOrganicpigsWeapply the samehighwelfare standards as free-rangepigs above, butpigs are raised to SoilAssociationorganicstandards.TransportandslaughterofpigsAll our pigs are transported directly to the abattoir by hauliers approved by Red Tractor. Alldrivers must undergo specialist welfare training to ensure the highest standards are met. Nojourneylastslongerthanfivehourswiththeaveragejourneytimebeingthreehours.Noelectricgoadsareusedinthemovingandloadingofpigs.Alllorrieshaveliftupdecksandstrawbeddingisused.Insummer,extrawaterisprovidedandwherepossible,pigsaremovedinsocialgroups.Liketherestofourlivestocksupplychain,avetinspectstheanimalsonarrivalattheprocessingplant. Allslaughter is undertaken fully certified andmaintained to the standards laid down byBritishQualityAssuredPork.DaleheadFoods,ourprocessor,recognisesandoperatedwithintheguidancesetoutbytheHumaneSlaughterAssociationandFreedomFoodforanimalsatthepointofslaughter.Farmedfinfishandotheraquaculture

Our essentialWaitrose farmed salmon supply partnerships are small tomedium sized farmingsites,eachwithanexperiencedteamofhusbandryexperts.AllfarmedfishmustbefullytraceabletoknownandauditedWaitroseapprovedfarmsites.Auditprotocolsmust includeassessmentof fishwelfare,veterinarycare,husbandry,protectionof themarineenvironmentandsourcesofmarinebased feed ingredients.Wedonotallowmutilatingproceduressuchasfinclippingonourfarmedfish.Allourfarmedsalmon,seafarmedrainbowtrout,rainbowtrout,browntroutandhalibutarepre-stunnedpriortoslaughter.Farmedfishmustbeindependentlycertifiedtoarecognisedthirdpartystandardorbeworkingtowardsachievingcertificationbefore2020–wehavealreadyachievednearly90%certification.The following third party certification schemes are recognised for farmed fish: AquacultureStewardship Council (ASC), Global Gap, Global Aquaculture Alliance Best Aquaculture Practice(GAABAP),Friendofthesea(FOS),SoilAssociationOrganicandNaturlandOrganic.Thescopeofthecertificationmustincludeprocessingfacilities,farmsandhatcheries.


19

Aquaculture activities must be conducted in a manner that is socially responsible and withinnationalrulesandregulations,withregard to ILOconventionon labourrights,not jeopardisingthe livelihood of aquaculture workers and local communities as laid out by the John LewisResponsibleCodeofPractice.FarmingoperationssupplyingWaitrosemustmeetthespecifiedbasestandardssetoutbelow:• Salmonids(SalmonandTrout)–GlobalGapand/orOrganic(SoilAssociation,Naturland).• MarineFish(Bass,SeaBream)–GlobalGaporBestAquaculturePracticesorOrganic.• FreshwaterFish(Tilapia)–GlobalGaporBestAquaculturePracticesorOrganic.• Shellfish(Mussels,Oysters)–GlobalGaporBestAquaculturePracticesorOrganic.• WarmwaterPrawns–GlobalGaporBestAquaculturePracticesorOrganic.FarmedfishfeedpolicyMarine based feed raw materials must only be sourced from responsibly managed fisheries.Waitrose supports the International Fishmeal and Fish Oil Association’s Global Standard andCertificationProgramme for theResponsibleSupplyofFishmealandFishOil (IFFORS).MarinebasedingredientsusedintheproductionofWaitrosesalmon,troutandhalibutarefromIFFORScertifiedstocksandallfarmedfishdietsareproducedusingIFFORS,MSCorFOScertifiedmarineingredients. The marine feed ingredients used in the fish feed for Waitrose Organic salmon,Rainbow trout, Brown trout and Halibut are produced from trimmings from fish responsiblycaught for human consumption. All diets are certified as organic and all ingredients are fullytraceable.The use of non-marine ingredients in feed diets is permitted under the Waitrose Fish Feedpolicies.However,theinclusionofvegetableproteiningredientsmustbeofnon-GMOoriginandinclusionratesmustnotcompromisefishwelfareortheeatingqualityandnutritionalvalueofthefinalproduct.(ItisWaitrosepolicytoensurethatsalmonandtroutarefedonadietthatensuresthe following levels of EPA/DHA in the finished product to deliver the health and nutritionalbenefitsthatourcustomersexpect.ConventionalSalmon1.61g/100g.OrganicSalmon1.5g/100g.RainbowTrout1.5g/100g.The use of processed animal protein (PAP) and animal derived lipids and bloodmeal are notpermitted.


20


21

TurkeyWaitrose free-range turkeysare raisedonselectedsmall farms in theUKand Ireland.Theyareprovidedwithbothindoorshelterandoutdoorrangeareasduringtheirgrowingperiod.Accesstograsspaddockisunrestrictedduringdaytimehoursforatleasthalfthebirds’lifeandhousingisavailableforthemtoreturntoshelter.Rangeareasarepredominantlygrassandareasofinterestsuchasstrawbales,trees,scrubandmixedvegetationareprovidedforrangeenrichment.WaitroseorganicturkeysWaitroseorganicturkeysareraisedinEnglandandIrelandandarebroadlysimilartofreerangebut with additional requirements to meet the Organic regulations and the Waitrose bespokerequirements.Stockingdensitiesarevery low, likeour free-rangebirdswithplentyofavailableenvironmentalenrichment.Waitroseorganicturkeysarenotbeaktrimmed.DuchyOriginalsfromWaitroseOrganicturkeysDuchy Originals fromWaitrose organic turkeys are raised in England. A slow growing bronzefeatheredbreed,theyareraisedtothesamehighstandardsasourotherorganicturkeys.Noneofourorganicturkeysarebeaktrimmed.TransportandslaughterofturkeysAll our turkeys are transported to slaughter under National Welfare of Animals (Transport)regulations, which cover welfare and safety standards. All drivers involved in moving turkeyshavereceivedformalindependenttraininginbirdwelfare.Farmsarelocatedwithinfourhours’driveof theplantand transportvehiclesarespecificallydesigned for themovementof turkeys.Like the restofour livestock supply chain, a vet inspects thebirdsonarrival at theprocessingplant.


22

HigherWelfareVeal(RoseVeal)

Waitrose pioneered the sale of UK-produced High Welfare Veal. We have one dedicated vealsupplierthatwehaveworkedwithformorethan30years.Thevealcalvesarerearedingroupsinlarge,airybarnsbeddedwithdeepstrawwithlotsofroomtomovearound.Theyhaveaccesstoad-libmilkandareofferedsomehome-growncerealstosupplementandenhancetheirdiet.Wehave an integrated supply chain and our veal calves originate from theWaitrose dairy supplychain;thisensuresthatourmalecalvesarenotslaughteredatbirthorexported.TransportandslaughterofvealcalvesThe export of veal calves is prohibited. Veal calves are transported to the abattoir by onededicated,RedTractorapprovedhaulierandalldriversareproperlytrainedinanimalwelfare.The haulier ensures that welfare is maximised for the calves by ensuring lots of straw andsawdustareused inthevehicletomaximisetheircomfort.Thewelfareof thevealcalvesat theabattoirisoftheutmostimportancetoWaitrose.Ourabattoirhasbeenpurposebuiltwith thehelpofanimalwelfareexpertsandto the ideasofTempleGrandin;thefacilityoperatesadetailedanimalwelfarepolicy.Aswithourotherlivestocksupply chains, all staff must demonstrate high levels of competence before being allowed tohandlecattle.Liketherestofourlivestocksupplychain,avetinspectstheanimalsonarrivalattheprocessingplant.


23

WelfareoutcomesandKeyPerformanceIndicators(KPI’s) Waitroselivestockschemeshaveevolvedoverthelast20yearsandareunderpinnedbyanethosof continuous improvement. This includes the regular review of both technical and financialperformance; trends in welfare outcomes and investment in a wide ranging Research andDevelopment portfoliowhich has improvements in animalwelfare at its heart. These researchprojects are done with a wide number of reputable educational establishments providing theopportunity for emerging scientists to work closely with our livestock supply chains. Inconjunctionwithoursupplierswemonitorawiderangeofkeywelfareperformanceindicatorstoensurecontinuouswelfareimprovementfortheanimalsinoursupplychains.Thekeymeasuresareincludedbelowandontheattachedcharts.1A.AveragetraveltimeforlivestocksourcedbyWaitroseduring2016AveragejourneytimesMeasuredfromstartofloadinguntillastanimalhasenteredlairage.


24

1B.AveragetraveltimeforlivestocksourcedbyWaitroseduring2015AveragejourneytimesMeasuredfromstartofloadinguntillastanimalhasenteredlairage.1C.AveragetraveltimeforlivestocksourcedbyWaitroseduring2014AveragejourneytimesMeasuredfromstartofloadinguntillastanimalhasenteredlairage.


25

1D.AveragetraveltimeforlivestocksourcedbyWaitroseduring2013AveragejourneytimesMeasuredfromstartofloadinguntillastanimalhasenteredlairage.2A.Livestocktransportation–accidents/deathsintransitduring2016


26

2B.Livestocktransportation–accidents/deathsintransitduring20152C.Livestocktransportation–accidents/deathsintransitduring2014


27

3.Livestockorigin4. Percentage of livestock reared to Red Tractor (plus) Assurance Standards orequivalent*SAIGlobalVenisonStandardinUK.


28

5.Percentageoflivestockpre-stunnedbeforeslaughter6.Percentageoflivestockinhigherwelfaresystems7.Percentageoflivestockthatarenotrearedincloseconfinement


29

8.AccesstoEnrichment(percentage)ForKeyPerformanceIndicatorsandwelfareoutcomesmonitoredandreportedonbysector,seeAppendices.

Documents

Animal Welfare at Waitrose€¦ · with our authentic continental meats such as Spanish chorizo, German salami, Italian Parma ham and prosciutto and Belgian Pate. These authentic