Waitrose is advancing its commitment to animal welfare by enhancing the standards of its Italian pork supply chain outside the UK.
- The British retailer plans to make its Italian pork supply chain “confinement free,” aligning it closer to its domestic operations.
- Waitrose currently sources European charcuterie products with a protected designation of origin.
- The retailer aims to achieve its welfare targets internationally by 2025, with support from Compassion in World Farming.
- Waitrose has recently launched a ‘no compromise’ campaign to emphasize its dedication to welfare values.
Waitrose is taking significant steps towards augmenting animal welfare within its Italian pork supply chain, intending to reach a ‘confinement free’ status. This move enhances the existing standards outside the UK, demonstrating the retailer’s proactive approach towards improving animal welfare internationally.
Although Waitrose primarily collaborates with UK-based retailers, suppliers, and farmers, it also imports charcuterie products from Europe that hold a protected designation of origin. This initiative underscores Waitrose’s intention to level up the welfare standards of its European suppliers to match the high benchmark established by its British operations.
Currently, all pigs destined for the UK market are bred outdoors, avoiding the use of confinement stalls. Jake Pickering, the senior agriculture manager at Waitrose, conveyed confidence in their strategic plan, which has gained approval from Compassion in World Farming. This plan outlines their goal of achieving their welfare objectives by 2025.
Recently, Waitrose inaugurated a ‘no compromise’ campaign to reiterate its leadership in upholding animal welfare values. The campaign highlights that the supermarket’s commitment to superior welfare standards extends to all product lines, including ingredients in own-label offerings. Pickering emphasizes this commitment, stating, ‘When we say no compromise, we really do mean that.’
Waitrose’s initiative to enhance welfare standards within its international pork supply chain reflects its steadfast resolve in animal welfare advocacy.
