CSR and animal welfare

ABOUT THE ISSUE

Over 60 billion animals go through the food chain each year; and 60% of the top 25 global food retailers are headquartered in Europe with significant market power to improve the conditions of animals.
Our belief in retailers’ capacity to contribute effective welfare solutions means that we mobilize resources and coordinate streams of market linked initiatives, tools and programmes within Eurogroup’s network aimed at effectively supporting retailers and other supply chain actors in delivering real welfare outcomes to animals.

WHAT IS THE CURRENT SITUATION

Even though practices that do not reduce animal suffering are still present in some methods of production, many retailers in Europe are yet to have an animal welfare policy.
Some retailers that have welfare policies are not always very clear on how these policies are translated into real production practices. Some are still unable to even communicate or demonstrate the real welfare outcomes that are achieved through their policies, implying that the high consumer concerns are however not sufficiently reflected in today’s livestock farming, let alone in the products on the supermarket shelves or in the shopping trolley.

WHAT ARE WE CALLING FOR

Eurogroup calls on retailers to work with us and our network across Europe to become more familiar with current animal welfare issues and solutions. This awareness will help them in their efforts to develop and integrate animal welfare in their CSR activities, Sustainable development strategies and procurement policies. Retailers can contribute more in their efforts to create awareness to consumers about different production methods and how they affect the well-being of animals. This will further contribute to a society of well informed consumers who are given the choice to purchase food from welfare friendly systems.