Following several questions that Mark Oaten has asked in the Commons and his calling a debate in Westminster Hall over meat-sourcing, Mark is pleased to observe progress in the sourcing of chickens with a higher level of welfare for House of Commons catering.
The House of Commons has announced that its supply of chicken meat produced under the RSPCA’s Freedom Food Scheme now totals almost 40% of its chicken meat purchases. This is a marked improvement from the figure of just 10% in 2007. Although no other meat served is currently RSPCA accredited, the Director of Catering and Retail Services has met this month with Mark and Freedom Food representatives to discuss the supply of other meats.
Mark Oaten stated:
“It is important that the House of Commons sets the good example of increasing awareness of higher-welfare meat. The welfare of farmed animals is an important issue and it is encouraging that it is being taken seriously.
“Although I am pleased and applaud this progress, I feel it is only a step on the way to achieving a catering service that supplies only meat that is RSPCA approved. I will continue to campaign on this subject and look forward to further progress in the future.
Mark Oaten