Different supermarkets may have specific food assurance standards that require their supply chain to provide products from certain husbandry systems. These may follow separate accredited standards such as RSPCA Assured or Soil Association Organic or supermarkets may have their own scheme producers must adhere to.
Which Supermarkets Have Farrowing Specific Requirements?
As far as we are aware the following UK-based supermarkets have specific standards relating to farrowing accommodation on some of their pork products:
Waitrose – All of Waitrose own-brand pork comes from pigs that are bred outdoors.
Marks and Spencer’s – All M&S fresh pork comes from pigs that are bred outdoors.
Sainsbury’s – All of Sainsbury’s “Taste the Difference” range of pork products comes from pigs that are bred outdoors.
The Co-operative – The Co-operative’s “Truly Irrestible” range of pork comes from pigs that are reared outdoors.
Which Labels Relate to Free Farrowing Systems?
Labelling can be quite confusing. Products that carry the RSPCA Assured symbol or the Soil Association Organic symbol will be from systems that assure free farrowing. Please visit our free farrowing assurance schemes page for more information. There are also labelling schemes from other countries that may require higher standards during farrowing and lactation, such as the use of temporary crate systems.
Terms that refer to free farrowing specific systems on own brand products from retailers are most likely to be Outdoor Bred or Outdoor Reared or Free Range.
In the UK there is a Code of Practice for the labelling of pork and pork products. It sets down the minimum standards which supporting businesses will use when labelling pork and pork products. It has agreed a set of auditable definitions for these terms to help fully inform consumers when buying these products:
Free Range
These pigs are born outside, in fields and they remain outside until they are sent for processing. They are provided with food, water and shelter and are free to roam within defined boundaries. Very generous space allowances are defined with minimum requirements dependent on soil conditions and rotation practices. Breeding sows are kept outside, in fields for their productive life. They are provided with food, water and shelter with generous minimum space allowances.
Outdoor Bred
These pigs are born outside, in fields where they are kept until weaning. Breeding sows are kept outside in fields for their productive lives. The pigs are provided with food, water and shelter with generous minimum space allowances. Pork and pork products labelled as Outdoor Bred will also contain a statement about how the pigs are subsequently farmed. Where possible this will be in the same field of vision on the label as Outdoor Bred. Retailers and foodservice businesses are encouraged to make further information available about the method of finishing to consumers through literature or websites.
Outdoor Reared
These pigs are born outside in fields, where they are reared for approximately half their life (defined as at least 30kg). Breeding sows are kept outside in fields for their productive lives. They are provided with food, water and shelter and generous minimum space allowances. Pork and pork products labelled as Outdoor Reared will also contain a statement about the way the pigs are subsequently farmed. Where possible this will be in the same field of vision on the label as Outdoor Reared. Retailers and foodservice businesses are encouraged to make further information available about the method of finishing to consumers through literature or websites.
Outdoor/Total Outdoors
These pigs are born outside in fields, where they remain until sent for processing. Minimum space requirements, whilst generous, are lower than that for free range. Breeding sows are kept outside in fields for their productive lives.
Further Information
For further information on the labelling of pork products please visit the Pork Provenance website.
