Pork & Bacon
When buying pork and pigmeat, look for free-range, ‘outdoor bred’ and ‘outdoor reared’ on the label.
Free-range
Whilst there is no legal definition of ‘free-range pork’ we believe this should mean pigs who have permanent access to pasture: born outside (without stalls or crates) and then reared outside throughout their lives.
Outdoor bred
'Outdoor bred' means the pigs are born outside. The pigs are then brought indoors for fattening, after a few weeks. They are usually kept in a system with plenty of bedding material such as straw. It should also mean the sows are not confined in sow stalls or farrowing crates and are kept free-range.
Outdoor reared
'Outdoor reared' means the pigs were reared outside for around half their lives. During this time they won’t necessarily have access to pasture, but will be kept in an outside pen. Throughout their lives they should have access to plenty of bedding such as straw. It should also mean the sows are not confined in sow stalls or farrowing crates and are kept free-range.
If you buy any pork reared indoors look for 'straw bedded' or 'deep bedded' on the packaging. Pigs need straw or woodchips to root in otherwise they get bored and hungry in indoor systems. This can lead them to bite each other’s tails and causes farmers to tail dock piglets – a painful procedure carried out without anaesthetic.
Bedding
Deep bedding is very important for pigs’ natural behaviour and deep bedded indoor systems can offer higher welfare. If you buy any pork from pigs reared indoors look for 'straw bedded' or 'deep bedded' on the packaging.
Logos
Organic
Organic can offer animals higher welfare. Organic pigs are outdoor reared for at least 80% of their lives and are often kept free-range.
Soil Association certified organic pigmeat is reared to the highest welfare standards and Soil Association pigs are kept free-range for at least the first 80% of their lives.
RSPCA Freedom Food
Higher welfare standards are required for indoor and outdoor pigmeat. Pigs must be provided with bedding. However, farrowing crates may still be used for a limited period.
British
Sow stalls are banned in Britain. However, farrowing crates can still be used and pigs may be reared indoors in intensive systems without bedding. The main labels that show that pigmeat is British are the Red Tractor mark and the Quality Standard mark. These standards also ban castration but allow tooth clipping and tail docking under certain circumstances.
Don't forget ingredients
Check the ingredients of sandwiches, ready-meals etc – unless it says the pork, bacon, ham or sausage used is free-range, outdoor bred or reared it probably isn’t.
