Animal Welfare

Animal welfare IS AT THE FOREFRONT OF THE JUICY MEAT COMPANY’s MISSION.

Every effort is made throughout the procurement process to ensure that the livestock we deal with are comfortable and free from stress at all times.

All our staff who deal directly with animals are independently certified in welfare and handling techniques, with our housing and handling facilities designed - in consultation with leading animal welfare experts - to maximise animal comfort and reduce stress.

Our livestock team carry out routine audits on farm which include assessing the welfare standards on all holdings which supply to us.

Our transport lorries are subject to stringent welfare criteria which include strict limits on amount of time spend in transit - our livestock spend less time on transport than industry standard, which we believe is key to ensuring stress levels are reduced.

When livestock arrive on our site, they are kept in our bespoke lairage barns, where they are given plentiful access to fresh water, and fresh straw in the event of being bedded down overnight. We have designed and updated our lairages with welfare as the top priority and have amended our protocol to reflect new welfare management methods - including playing music in the lairages which has been proven to create a more calming atmosphere!

As part of our protocol, the Juicy Meat Company subscribe to the ‘Five Freedoms’ – a set of ideals laid out by a UK government report in 1965, which has since been adopted by animal rights organisations worldwide.

1.Freedom from hunger and thirst

By ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health and vigour

2. Freedom from discomfort

By providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area.

3. Freedom from pain, injury or disease

By prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment.

4. Freedom to express normal behaviour

By providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal’s own kind.

5. Freedom from fear and distress

By ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering.