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Published 04/02/2016
Compassion commends Waitrose for publicising their commitment to guarantee that all the dairy cows that produce the supermarket’s milk have at least 100 days of outdoor grazing every year – they are the only UK major retailer to do so.
Dairy farming is becoming more intensive in order to increase the amount of milk produced by each cow. In the UK most dairy cows still have access to grazing on pasture for part of the day during summer, but a growing number are being kept indoors for longer periods, and some all year round.
Intensive dairy farming results in a number of welfare issues for cows, including lameness and mastitis, so it is great to see a major retailer like Waitrose ensuring that all the cows in their supply chain are allowed seasonal grazing and that they are communicating this commitment publically.
Jemima Jewell, Head of Food Business at Compassion said: “It’s a great opportunity for any company that is doing good things for farm animal welfare to communicate this publically so that consumers are informed. In the absence of higher welfare labelling on products such as milk, it’s a great way for companies to differentiate their products.”
“Waitrose is doing what’s right for dairy cow welfare and delivering what its customers expect, and we would encourage more retailers to follow their lead.”
