Labelling
The RSPCA is calling for clear and consistent labelling of all animal products. Tell us what you think too - all comments are moderated by the RSPCA
The RSPCA believes it is essential that animal products be clearly and consistently labelled to allow consumers to make an informed choice about animal welfare. According to a recent IGD survey about consumer shopping habits, animal welfare is the factor that has seen the greatest increase as a driver of product choice, mentioned by 20% of shoppers.
The Society is hoping for firm commitments from the European Union that meaningful information on animal welfare will be made clear on food products when the labelling directive is discussed later this year.
Pig labelling
The Society's 'Rooting for Pigs' campaign is calling for better labelling for pig products. With no legal labelling definitions, it is not surprising that there is confusion amongst consumers.
The RSPCA is working with pig industry representatives, to develop a set of definitions for terms such as 'free-range', 'outdoor bred' and 'outdoor reared'. The aim is that these will be adopted by the industry and retailers alike in the UK and will go on to inform the debate at EU level when the labelling directive is discussed in due course.
Meat chicken labelling
Whilst the terms 'free range' and 'organic' are defined for meat chickens, there are no agreed definitions for indoor reared chickens, which make up approximately 98 percent of the UK market. The RSPCA is working with the chicken industry and other organisations to agree definitions, with the aim that these be adopted by retailers and producers.
Egg labelling
It has been law to label eggs with the method of production since 2004. Since then, there has been an increase in the sale of higher welfare eggs as consumers make an informed choice about the eggs they buy.
The RSPCA is still campaigning to make consumers aware that eggs used as ingredients in everyday products are often still contain eggs produced from hens in battery cage systems. For further information please visit the Batteries not included campaign page.
Freedom Food
The RSPCA's farm assurance scheme Freedom Food already provides a clearly labelled higher welfare option to consumers but we are very keen to see clearer and more transparent labelling relating to production methods on all animal products.
Downloads
- Briefing on pig welfare
1.46 Mb
82.24 kb
Have your say
-
Jon Bray BVSc MRCVS, Newport said:
Very pleased that you're looking at this. One thing I would like to see added to labelling is "Live food miles" (overall food miles would also be nice but isn't really a direct animal welfare issue, other than the fact that animals bred in the UK are likely to be subject to more stringent welfare controls).
I believe that there is currently an issue with "free range" chickens whereby providing a bare field means you can drastically reduce the size of the shelter area - so if the chickens don't go outside (and they're originally from forests so don't like open spaces) they can be subjected to stocking densities well above battery levels, with risks of cannibalism etc which are far worse (the cages do limit spread of this behaviour). Most consumers are not aware of this.
Maybe the Freedom Food's scheme could be extended to a "star" scheme like restaurants and hotels are? -
Brittany Valdes-Pages, Greenwood Village said:
I have started a petition to target federal and state legislature to help stop over breeding and enact stricter spay and neuter laws. Please help my cause by signing the petition and showing your support. Thank you
<div id="peSiteTargetDiv531993449"><a href="http://www.thepetitionsite.com/" style="display: block; width: 252px; text-align: center; font-size: 8pt; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Petition powered by ThePetitionSite.com</a></div> -
Elen Sentier, Hereford said:
As few people nowadays seems to have a clue where their food comes from or how it's grown labelling must be a help. I would like to add education in schools about where a steak comes from, or chips, or suasages ... and show what "cheap food" means in terms of anmial welfare - or lack of it1 - and in terms of our health.
Labelling, as part of this, must be a good thing ... assuming folk read the labels. -
Renee Ralston , Melbourne said:
The more a consumer knows the better. Im for labelling.
-
Jehanne Kloke, London said:
The EU seriously needs to get on board with the labelling of products, especially with the high quantities being imported into the UK. Consumers need to know what they are eating and the conditions animals live in for them to do so!
They also need to look at the conditions these animals are living in according to UK standards! It is so poor, yet the price of meat is cheaper so people are buying EU meat.
EU needs to be stricter!