We are delighted to announce that Waitrose has made a bold new commitment to sourcing 100% free range British pork across all its own-label products by 2027.

From 15 October, all Waitrose pork mince, steaks, chops and joints will be free range – with a goal to make all own-brand pork free range by 2027. This means pigs will be raised outdoors for their entire lives, with access to fresh air, wallows, and space to express natural behaviours.

Championing transparency

Waitrose is championing transparency by introducing tiered welfare labels across all free-range pork products – similar to Waitrose’s chicken range, helping customers make informed, ethical choices. Labels will include categories like Organic, Free Range, Outdoor Bred, Enhanced Indoor and Standard Indoor, with the lower three being removed from all Waitrose own-brand pork by 2027.

The supermarket continues to push for stronger labelling legislation, including a legal definition for “free-range pork”, clearer country-of-origin rules for products containing meat ingredients and introducing mandatory method of production labelling.

A new benchmark for pig welfare

This latest move builds on Waitrose’s long-standing leadership in animal welfare, from banning farrowing crates nearly 20 years ago to meeting the Better Chicken Commitment early.

Louise Valducci, our Head of Food Business, Europe commented:

We’re delighted that Waitrose is setting a new benchmark for pig welfare with this commitment to free range production across its UK-sourced pork. 

Waitrose has had a long-term policy of outdoor bred production, and now by extending this to free range, all meat pigs will also benefit from having outdoor space and varied enrichment to express important behaviours such as foraging, wallowing and playing. 

We applaud Waitrose’s dedication to ethical sourcing, as well as its transparency.

Take action on Honest Labelling

Waitrose is leading the way – but Defra must act on mandatory method of production labelling. Without clear transparency, welfare risks being sidelined and shoppers misled.

Waitrose pledges 100% free range British pork future