Public Sector Good Farm Animal Welfare Award - 28 November 2011, London

Winners at the Public Sector Good Farm Animal Welfare Awards

An afternoon of celebration took place in London on 29th November 2011 as we held our Good Farm Animal Welfare Awards for the Public Sector. Over 50 universities, local councils and hospitals were awarded for their commitment to sourcing higher welfare eggs, chicken and dairy produce.

Food champions gave inspirational talks out about why they think ethical procurement is so important. Host, Jenny Jones - Green Assembly Member and former chair of London Food - spoke passionately about her bid to improve the food we eat as a nation, while TV chef, Allegra McEvedy MBE, talked about the importance of opting for higher welfare meat.

In her speech, Allegra McEvedy said: “My connection to these awards and all that they are trying to change is a source of huge honour to me. My MBE was for promoting healthier eating and ethical sourcing, and being a part of these awards brings both of these together.

Our hosts Allegra McEvedy and Jenny Jones.

“Any chef will be quick to tell you how much better food that has had a life tastes. But for once, flavour comes second. The primary reason I’ll do anything I can to promote better standards in farming is simply that a life is a life, and even though this industry is all geared in one direction – our tummies – that is no excuse to abuse animals.”

Jenny Jones said: “The food choices that we make as individuals through our weekly shop, or as policy or decision makers in the public and private sector have clear impacts on the food chain. I think that as consumers of meat, we have a duty and responsibility to ensure that the choices we make ensure that animals are treated well, and raised as close to their natural behaviour as possible.

“Animal welfare concerns are a growing influence on consumer choices and purchasing habits and the food service sector must react to meet this consumer demand. It is our responsibility to accelerate this change by pressing for high ethical standards in procurement contracts to improve welfare standards in the industry.”

The awards were presented in three categories – Good Egg Award, Good Chicken Award and Good Dairy Award – and recognise the commitment organisations are making to improving the lives of animals by specifying only higher welfare eggs, chicken or dairy produce for use in their catering operations.

Among the ‘good eggs’ was Scarborough and North East Yorkshire Health Care NHS, who famously took part in Operation Hospital Food with chef James Martin.
Waverley Council received a Good Chicken Award and are set to benefit 520,000 chickens with their commitment.
Bath Spa University and Cardiff County Council received awards for both their egg and chicken policies. Winners of the Good Dairy Award were East Sussex County Council, University of Portsmouth, Oxford Brookes University and University of Winchester.

The afternoon was a resounding success and we congratulate all the winners who are proving that public money can be well spent while improving the welfare of millions of farm animals.

GOOD EGG AWARD

Good Egg Award winners were: Aberystwyth University, Anglia Ruskin University, Bath Spa University*, Brunel University, Cardiff City Council*, Corby Borough Council, Coventry City Council, Deeside College, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), Dorset County Council, Horbury School & Specialist Language College, Institute of Education, Keele University, London Borough of Havering, London Borough of Islington, London Borough of Waltham Forest, Loughborough University, Manchester Metropolitan University, National Assembly for Wales, Newcastle College, North Bristol NHS Trust, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham University Hospitals, Plymouth City Council, Queen Mary University, Richard Huish College, Robert Gordon University, Scarborough and North East Yorkshire, Health Care NHS Trust, Surrey County Council, The Highland Council, The University of Reading, Thurrock Council, Torbay Council, University of Birmingham, University of Durham, University of East London, University of Essex, University of Hertfordshire, University of Huddersfield, University of London, University of Manchester, University of Newcastle, University of Nottingham, University of Sheffield, University of Surrey, University of Swansea, York NHS Trust.

GOOD CHICKEN AWARD

Good Chicken Award winners were: Bath Spa University*, Cardiff City Council*, Hampshire County Council, Kingston University, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, and University of Manchester.