Freedom Food is the RSPCA’s farm assurance and food labelling scheme that inspects farms, hatcheries, hauliers and abattoirs against the strict RSPCA welfare standards for farm animals that cover each stage of their lives from birth/hatching to slaughter.
In the 12 months to 21 March 2010, over 25,000 tons of primary chicken sold in supermarkets carried the Freedom Food logo – an increase of 183 per cent year-on-year.
In 2009, the numbers of ducks reared under the scheme almost doubled and now accounts for nearly half of all UK farmed duck.
Over 60 per cent of farmed Scottish salmon is now produced within the scheme with numbers more than doubling in 2009.
Pig numbers have also increased by 26 per cent year-on-year and Freedom Food now accounts for three quarters of the outdoor market and 21 per cent of all UK pig production.
Some industry sectors particularly cattle and sheep have yet to see the full benefits of the scheme possibly because many of the welfare issues are less visible than with other species. It is hoped that in the next five years, the number of animals reared under the scheme will continue to increase along with the demand from consumers for higher welfare, meat, fish and egg.
For more information, read the 'Freedom Food' indicator.
Number of chickens reared under the Freedom Food scheme
Number of salmon reared under the Freedom Food sheme
