Co-op has announced that it will meet its commitment to be 100% ‘cage-free’ across its continental meat range by the end of the year.
In 2018, Co-op moved to 100% outdoor bred for its fresh pork, bacon, sausage, gammon and ham ranges. It said it has now become the first UK convenience retailer to confirm a move to higher welfare standards across its continental meat supply chain.
The move means farrowing crates and sow stalls will now be banned in pigs sourced for products such as prosciutto, Parma ham, salami,mortadella and chorizo across its Spanish, German and Italian meat offer.
This covers farms in Germany, Spain and Italy, which make of Co-op’s continental meat range, which is manufactured in Europe. Farms supplying Co-op’s Italian and Spanish ranges to Co-op owned stores, were the first to move to confinement free during 2024, with German farms meeting the commitment by the end of the year.
Co-op’s longstanding supplier partner, Compleat Food Group was intrinsic to the move.
Joseph Keating, co-op senior agriculture manager, said: “Meeting our 100% cage-free commitment across our continental meat range is a significant step forward for Co-op and reflects our unwavering dedication to lead the way in improving animal welfare standards across our supply chains.
“Our long-term partnership with The Compleat Food Group has been instrumental in delivering these improvements, and together we’re proud to set a new benchmark for the industry.”
Dr Tracey Jones, global director of food business, for Compassion in World Farming, said: “We’re delighted the Co-op will meet its pledge to end the use of farrowing crates and sow stalls in its continental meat supply by year-end, fulfilling its 2025 commitment under Compassion’s Cage Free Award.
“Combined with its UK outdoor-bred pig production, and free-range eggs and own-brand egg products, the Co-op is demonstrating leadership in advancing the cage-free agenda.”