Give animal welfare a sporting chance

11.12.09

London 2012 Olympics brings welcome news on cage-free eggs but shows a disappointing lack of commitment to other species.

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) outlined its vision for the provision of food in and around venues during the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in 2012 on Monday, 7 December. But it has not yet fully committed to carrying the torch for animal welfare.
 

Promoting high standards of welfare  

Although we welcome the news that the Committee has made some positive moves towards providing higher welfare food, including a commitment to 100 per cent cage-free eggs, we are still concerned there are currently no targets for the amount of higher welfare meat to be served.
 

David Bowles, head of RSPCA external affairs, said: "The RSPCA welcomes the inclusion of animal welfare in the Olympics Food Vision, by making the Games the first ever to only use cage-free eggs. However, we are disappointed that a commitment to higher animal welfare standards has yet to be specified for chicken and pork. 
 

"We have met with LOCOG to discuss animal welfare and look forward to working with them to further encourage sourcing of higher welfare food, and promote high standards of welfare for any animals involved in 2012," he added.
 

Approximately 14 million meals will be consumed during the Games, by visitors, athletes, dignitaries and members of the media. We hope that with such an amazing opportunity to showcase the UK’s continuing dedication to better animal welfare, London 2012 can lead the world when it comes to providing higher welfare produce across the board.
 

Call for London 2012 to go the extra mile

This sentiment is also echoed by other leading welfare and environmental campaigners; who joined us in calling for London 2012 to go the extra mile for animal welfare.
 

River Cottage chef and Chicken Out! campaigner Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall said:

It is totally inconsistent and I think inconceivable that we will be watching sports people at their peak of fitness, yet being served chicken by the Olympic Games catering service that not only has an arguably lower nutritional value, but has been produced in a system that causes lameness in over a quarter of the birds.

I believe that the 2012 Olympics has a role to play in showing leadership and responsibility in this issue.

More information

• Find out about our farm assurance and food labelling scheme Freedom Food.
   
• Read about how animals are farmed, our work to improve their lives, and how you can help farm animals.