Scientific officer - Kate Parkes

Our scientific officers in the farm animals department provide scientific/technical information on all aspects of livestock farming and welfare. 

Kate is a scientific officer in our farm animals department. She is known as the resident ‘pig person.’

Improving life for farm animals

Kate specialises in pig production and welfare. She helped develop the RSPCA welfare standards used by Freedom Food and others to help ensure pigs have a better life.  

Thanks to our welfare standards, pigs on Freedom Food farms have freedom of movement to allow exploration and exercise, and enrichment material such as straw so they can express natural foraging and rooting behaviours. 
 

Setting the standard

Kate worked with the UK pig industry to develop definitions for ‘free-range’, ‘outdoor bred’, and ‘outdoor reared’ so that it would be clear on products how the pigs were raised. Kate explains:

"Most people have no contact with the animals that produce the food they eat. We work to ensure people are given clear information so they can make informed choices."

Raising awareness

Kate and her team advised the television production team that made 'Jamie Saves Our Bacon'. The programme showed how some pigs are raised in ways that fail to meet their needs; leading to boredom and frustration.

Kate explains how the programme helped to raise standards for pigs by raising consumer awareness:

Once people know how an animal is reared, it hits home. Shoppers are prepared to pay a little more for higher welfare food.  It’s rewarding to know that our work really makes a difference to the lives of animals.

Farm animals

Find out more about how we improve the welfare of farm animals and where to buy Freedom Food labelled procducts, so that you can help too.