Good eggs in the public sector

30 November 2011

On 28 November 2011, Compassion in World Farming recognised over 40 hospitals, educational centres and local councils at the Public Procurement Good Farm Animal Welfare Awards in London. The Awards were presented to organisations that are committed to improving the welfare of farm animals in their supply chains.

VIPs and champions of ethical food gave inspirational talks. 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.

Awards were presented in three categories – Good Egg Award, Good Chicken Award and Good Dairy Award – and recognise the commitment these 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 Public Procurement Awards are part of the Good Farm Animal Welfare Awards programme that has been awarding the food industry across Europe, since 2007. Over 265 million hens, chickens, pigs, dairy cows and calves are set to benefit each year as a result of winners’ policies.

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.

“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.”

2011 winners

Good Egg Award winners
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 Col
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 winners
Bath Spa University*
Cardiff City Council*
Hampshire County Council
Kingston University
Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
University of Manchester

Good Dairy Award winners
University of Portsmouth
East Sussex County Council
Oxford Brookes University
University of Winchester

*presented with a Good Egg AND a Good Chicken Award