Responsible Sourcing

We’re committed to playing a leading role in creating a responsibly sourced, regenerative food system. For our business, this means supporting our priority suppliers to shift to nature-positive, high welfare methods with 100% traceability and zero deforestation.

We’ve robust systems of certification in place to ensure we meet our responsible sourcing targets. These cover both our own label and branded products, and apply to ingredient suppliers, livestock farms, vegetable growers and slaughterhouses. All of our suppliers are required to sign our Code of Practice, those that complete Sedex SMETA audits must disclose the results with us and those that aren’t Sedex members must complete our annual self-assessment questionnaire to disclose information on their operations and responsible business practices.

Agriculture is one of the biggest drivers of deforestation worldwide, yet at the same time, we need healthy ecosystems and thriving biodiversity in order to support agriculture. The food industry urgently needs to adopt far more sustainable methods of obtaining vital ingredients, such as palm oil and soy. We’re setting a strong example with commitments that minimise our environmental impact while driving nature-positive solutions.

We take a farm partnership approach to unite the whole supply chain – from farmer and producer to customer –with the same vision and long-term commitment from all parties. This means that we ring fence farms and slaughterhouses so that animals are guaranteed for our use from the start of their life. Our welfare principles focus on minimising confinement, reducing surgical procedures, improving environment and increasing living space.

Underpinning animal welfare development has been our European Farm Partnership (EFP) scheme. This has been the driving force in delivering significant advances in farm animal welfare. Uniquely it brings together farmers and partners to share knowledge, learning and the latest industry technology and developments. Our Pig Module is unique in that it covers the entire element of the supply chain from breeding (freedom farrowing, space etc.) to rearing, finishing, transport and slaughter. Download information on our EFP pig module.