Supermarkets have enormous influence over the animal welfare standards used to produce the meat, milk and eggs they sell. The vast majority of fresh animal produce in major supermarkets is sold under company own labels, where they have direct control over how the animals are reared and slaughtered (CIWF, 2002).

It should be noted that as a result of supermarket buying power, which drives down prices paid to suppliers, farmers are expected to work to impossibly small margins. In many cases they have no option but to intensify production in order to try and cover their costs. In addition, many of the big supermarkets have forced farmers into direct supply contracts via favoured slaughterhouses. The decline in the number of slaughterhouses and livestock markets means that animals must often travel long distances by truck to be slaughtered. This capture and control of the whole food supply chain by the supermarkets is a major contributor to poor animal welfare.

Compassion in World Farming (CIWF) survey on farm animal welfare standards.

CIWF's biennial survey of welfare standards includes performance tables on a range of issues from animal transport to supermarket investment in farm animal welfare research. Marks & Spencer, with the highest overall score in the 2007-08 survey, are the current holders of the "Compassionate Supermarket of the Year" title.  Tesco finished in 5th place (out of 8) in the 2007-08 survey, lagging behind M&S, Waitrose, the Co-op and Sainsbury’s on many key welfare issues.  Tesco continue to source eggs from hens that spend their life crammed in barren battery cages (M&S, Waitrose and the Co-op have already ended the sale of shell eggs from caged hens and Sainsbury’s committing to do so by 2010).  Over 80% of chicken meat sold by Tesco is from intensively reared fast-growing breeds that are prone to painful lameness and heart problems. Chickens sourced by Tesco are kept in overcrowded conditions at stocking densities that exceed the Government's guidelines.  Many of the pigs reared for Tesco are not provided with straw or other manipulable material, in breach of EU legislation.

For further details please visit CIWF's information page on Tesco policies or read the full survey report.

Compassion in World Farming speaks out for the welfare of Tesco’s chickens  

'Going cheap hurts chickens' was the strong message Compassion in World Farming took to Tesco's London stores on Friday 8 February 2008. Demanding justification for the shocking £1.99 promotional price tag on their standard chicken, campaigners made their way to both the Regent Street Metro and Covent Garden Metro, where they protested with banners, placards and two giant chicken costumes. 

Compassion in World Farming Campaigns Officer, Eloise Shavelar spoke to the Tesco staff and handed store managers a copy of a letter sent earlier to Tesco's Chief Executive, Terry Leahy, and urged them to take the message to Head Quarters. 

Eloise Shavelar said, “We are disgusted at the latest decision by Tesco to sell chickens for £1.99. Despite the scientific evidence that many birds are lame and likely to be in pain and two of Tesco' competitors, Sainsbury's and Co-op promising to end the sale of cheap chicken, Tesco continue not to take chicken welfare seriously. 

“Our presence will have hopefully changed some shopping habits,  there were members of the public who were keen to know more. Compassion in World Farming believes that the £1.99 price tag on Tesco's standard chicken does not reflect the real price of producing it, or the true value of the bird’s life."

Compassion in World Farming (CIWF) awards Tesco with 2008 Rotten Egg Award

Tesco has been awarded Compassion in World Farming’s 2008 Rotten Egg Award for failing to make any commitment to end the sale of eggs from caged hens.  In battery cages hens are confined in wire cages unable to carry out their natural behaviours. Each hen has a floor space equivalent to an A4 piece of paper for the whole of their lives. M&S, Waitrose and the Co-op have already ended the sale of shell eggs from caged hens, with Sainsbury’s committing to do so by 2010 and Morrison planning to go free-range on own label shell eggs by 2010.While many global food companies are switching to free-range eggs, Tesco are refusing to budge. This Rotten Egg represents an estimated 1.3 million birds that could be freed from cages each year if Tesco joined other major supermarkets and moved to selling only barn and free-range eggs. Compassion in World Farming will continue this campaign until Tesco agrees they to improve the lives of millions of chickens and stop selling eggs from caged hens.

Take action for Tesco chickens.

Viva!'s investigations into animal welfare
In 2006 Viva! made a complaint, supported by the Food Standards Agency, about Tesco packaging on own-label duck products, which were misleading customers. The packaging suggested that the birds were reared free-range, but Viva! provided evidence that the they were housed in industrial sheds with no outdoor access. Trading Standards upheld the complaint. For further information please see Viva!'s press release.

In 2003, Viva! undertook an undercover investigation into Bowes of Norfolk, a pig farm supplying Tesco, which revealed severe animal suffering. According to an article in The Observer, the company, which employs more than 600 people and has an annual turnover of over £30 million, is Tesco's major UK-based pork supplier, providing pork cuts for all of the chain's 'Finest' range, processing 50 per cent of its 'Organic' and 'Tender Select' ranges and a substantial part of its 'Standard' range, as well as providing meat for sale at the chain's over-the-counter service. The investigation made clear that responsibility for these standards lay with Tesco -Viva! said “As Bowes' main customer, Tesco is indirectly responsible for those conditions. Of course, other major supermarkets also sell meat from pigs reared intensively - Tesco just got caught - but that does not excuse Tesco from responsibility.”

A follow-up investigation in 2004 revealed continued animal suffering including sows still confined to farrowing crates, overcrowding and lame pigs. Despite suggesting that a meeting might be useful, Tesco apparently found “one excuse after another not to actually hold one.” In response Viva! Held a Day of Action in August 2004 with demonstrations at 90 Tesco stores.

Tesco selling live turtles and frogs abroad

According to the Tortoise Trust Tesco is involved in selling live turtles and live frogs at its branches in China. The Trust state that “the suffering inflicted on these animals is so extreme that were it to take place in the UK, Tesco directors would undoubtedly face criminal charges. In addition to the most horrendous cruelty, the live turtle and frog trade is acutely environmentally destructive, and is contributing to the rapid extinction of a number of species. Campaigners have launched a petition to campaign against the sale of live turtles in Tesco stores in China petition.

Care for the Wild International and supporters voiced their concerns about the sale of live turtles to Tesco shareholders at the Tesco AGM in London on 29th June 2007.