An afternoon of celebration took place in London yesterday (28th November 2011) as we held our Good Farm Animal Welfare Awards for the Public Sector. Over 50 universities, local councils and hospitals were awarded for their commitment to sourcing higher welfare eggs, chicken and dairy produce.

Food champions gave inspirational talks out about why they think ethical procurement is so important. Host, Jenny Jones – Green Assembly Member and former chair of London Food – spoke passionately about her bid to improve the food we eat as a nation, while TV chef, Allegra McEvedy MBE, talked about the importance of opting for higher welfare meat.

In her speech, Allegra McEvedy said: “My connection to these awards and all that they are trying to change is a source of huge honour to me. My MBE was for promoting healthier eating and ethical sourcing, and being a part of these awards brings both of these together.

“Any chef will be quick to tell you how much better food that has had a life tastes. But for once, flavour comes second. The primary reason I’ll do anything I can to promote better standards in farming is simply that a life is a life, and even though this industry is all geared in one direction – our tummies – that is no excuse to abuse animals.”

Jenny Jones said: “The food choices that we make as individuals through our weekly shop, or as policy or decision makers in the public and private sector have clear impacts on the food chain. I think that as consumers of meat, we have a duty and responsibility to ensure that the choices we make ensure that animals are treated well, and raised as close to their natural behaviour as possible.

“Animal welfare concerns are a growing influence on consumer choices and purchasing habits and the food service sector must react to meet this consumer demand. It is our responsibility to accelerate this change by pressing for high ethical standards in procurement contracts to improve welfare standards in the industry.”

The awards were presented in three categories – Good Egg Award, Good Chicken Award and Good Dairy Award – and recognise the commitment organisations are making to improving the lives of animals by specifying only higher welfare eggs, chicken or dairy produce for use in their catering operations.

Among the ‘good eggs’ was Scarborough and North East Yorkshire Health Care NHS, who famously took part in Operation Hospital Food with chef James Martin. Waverley Council received a Good Chicken Award and are set to benefit 520,000 chickens with their commitment. Bath Spa University and Cardiff County Council received awards for both their egg and chicken policies. Winners of the Good Dairy Award were East Sussex County Council, University of Portsmouth, Oxford Brookes University and University of Winchester.

The afternoon was a resounding success and we congratulate all the winners who are proving that public money can be well spent while improving the welfare of millions of farm animals.

2011 Winners

Good Egg Award winners

Aberystwyth University

Anglia Ruskin University

Bath Spa University*

Brunel University

Cardiff City Council*

Corby Borough Council

Coventry City Council

Deeside College

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS)

Dorset County Council

Horbury School & Specialist Language College

Institute of Education

Keele University

London Borough of Havering

London Borough of Islington

London Borough of Waltham Forest

Loughborough University

Manchester Metropolitan University

National Assembly for Wales

Newcastle College

North Bristol NHS Trust

Nottingham Trent University

Nottingham University Hospitals

Plymouth City Council

Queen Mary University

Richard Huish College

Robert Gordon University

Scarborough and North East Yorkshire Health Care NHS Trust

Surrey County Council

The Highland Council

The University of Reading

Thurrock Council

Torbay Council

University of Birmingham

University of Durham

University of East London

University of Essex

University of Hertfordshire

University of Huddersfield

University of London

University of Manchester

University of Newcastle

University of Nottingham

University of Sheffield

University of Surrey

University of Swansea

York NHS Trust

Good Chicken Award winners

Bath Spa University*

Cardiff City Council*

Hampshire County Council

Kingston University

Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust

University of Manchester

Good Dairy Award winners

University of Portsmouth

East Sussex County Council

Oxford Brookes University

University of Winchester

*presented with a Good Egg AND a Good Chicken Award

UK’s public sector awarded for commitment to animal welfare