Marks and Spencer has become the first major retailer to source its fresh milk from RSPCA Assured dairy farms.
All M&S fresh milk packaging will now carry the RSPCA Assured logo. The RSPCA welfare standards for dairy cows have to be met for milk to be labelled RSPCA Assured.
The welfare standards cover cattle for their entire lives, including when being transported, and cover health, diet, environment and care.
The standards include requirements such as cows having enough space and bedding to allow them to lie down and get up without injuring themselves.
They must also have environmental enrichment (eg cow brushes) they can use to groom and scratch themselves.
Steve McLean, head of agriculture and fisheries at M&S said: “We know how much animal welfare matters to our customers and they expect the highest standards.
“RSPCA Assured standards are the toughest in the business. I’m pleased to say every farmer has stepped up and delivered everything we and RSPCA Assured asked of them.”
The move follows revelations by an animal welfare charity earlier this year, who took photographs of M&S supplier JF Cobb & Sons, a dairy farm near Dorchester, describing the conditions as "shocking".
