Supermarket Chains Prioritize Animal Welfare
- Waitrose commits to ending suffocation of farmed prawns by 2025
- Animal welfare a top priority for Waitrose
- Electrical stunning to be introduced across supply chain
- UK government acknowledges prawn sentience
- Other retailers like Tesco, Sainsbury’s, M&S, and Ocado have made similar commitments
Waitrose has pledged to eliminate suffocation practices for farmed prawns by introducing electrical stunning across its entire supply chain by the end of 2025. This move follows growing concerns from animal rights campaigners over the welfare of prawns, including eyestalk ablation, which Waitrose has already phased out. The decision comes amid increasing recognition of the sentience of prawns, with the UK government acknowledging their capacity to experience pain. A Waitrose spokesperson told the Times: ‘Animal welfare is a top priority for Waitrose, and since 2023 we’ve been working with our suppliers to push our industry-leading standards even higher by trialling electrical prawn stunning.’ The initiative applies to all farmed shrimp and prawns sold by the supermarket. Waitrose joins other major UK retailers, such as Tesco, Sainsbury’s, M&S, and Ocado, who have all committed to humane prawn slaughter practices. Campaign groups, including the International Council for Animal Welfare (ICAW), have urged other supermarkets like Asda, Morrisons, and Aldi to adopt similar standards.
Factuality Level: 8
Factuality Justification: The article provides accurate information about Waitrose’s commitment to eliminate suffocation practices for farmed prawns by introducing electrical stunning across its entire supply chain by the end of 2025 and mentions other retailers that have also committed to humane prawn slaughter practices. It also includes relevant background information on animal welfare concerns and calls for other supermarkets to follow suit.
Noise Level: 3
Noise Justification: The article provides relevant information about Waitrose’s commitment to improving animal welfare practices for prawns and mentions other retailers adopting similar standards. However, it contains unrelated content at the end, which diverts from the main topic.
Financial Relevance: No
Financial Markets Impacted: No
Financial Rating Justification: The article discusses animal welfare practices in the supermarket industry, specifically related to prawn farming and stunning methods. It does not directly pertain to financial topics or impact financial markets or companies.
Presence Of Extreme Event: No
Nature Of Extreme Event: Other
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: No
Extreme Rating Justification: There is no extreme event mentioned in the article.
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