Improve animal health and welfare and practise responsible antibiotic stewardship
Treating animals well and keeping them healthy is not just the right thing to do, it also makes good business sense. Healthy, well-managed animals are more likely to deliver higher-quality food that our customers enjoy. It also contributes to other areas of our Plan for Better, including reducing food waste and lowering carbon emissions. We’re focused on playing a leading role in tackling the complex, industry-wide challenges involved. Our approach is built on, and often exceeds, best practice, making us one of the leaders in animal health and welfare in our industry.
Our ambition
Our progress and highlights
First
major retailer to give chickens 20% more space to roam by capping stocking density at 30kg with Moy Park
20-year
partnership with the RSPCA and are a leading UK retailer (by volume) of RSPCA Assured products since 2011
86.7%
of our key animal supply chains achieved Sainsbury’s responsible use targets for total antibiotic use
Our areas of focus
Improving animal health and welfare outcomes
We made an active decision to shift from a standards-based approach to focusing on outcomes – this means going beyond checking that standards are being complied with and instead looking closely at how animals are actually doing on a real-time basis – checking their health, how they behave and how well they are being looked after across every species in our supply chain. We have collected the largest data-set on animal health and welfare outcomes in the country over 10 years and covering 2 billion animals which has enabled us to benchmark progress, consistently measure our impact and drive areas of continuous improvement with our farmers. We continue to see this as the future direction with technology enabling even greater levels of data collection. This science led, data-backed, approach has seen us make bold moves with our suppliers, to enhance welfare outcomes. We continue to promote responsible antibiotic stewardship in our supply chains and work closely with our suppliers to measure, monitor and reduce antibiotic use where possible.
Building partnerships and engaging our suppliers
Progress on animal welfare will require collective action and we’re determined to be at the forefront, driving change in partnership with our farmers and suppliers that puts the health and wellbeing of animals at the heart of how good food is made. That’s why we have launched several farmer development groups on our main agriculture value chains with over 2,000 members. This lets us work directly with farmers we know, trust, and who share our vision and values. These suppliers get training and resources to improve animal health and welfare using efficient, sustainable methods. Our Sainsbury’s Dairy Development Group, Sainsbury’s Egg Group and High Environmental Impact Suppliers group help farmers stay profitable while producing high-quality meat, dairy, and poultry in ways our customers expect.
Case study
Vet tech a world first for Sainsbury’s dairy farms
We have become the first retailer in the world to invest in new AI veterinary technology, Vet Vision AI, that can measure and enhance animal welfare on dairy farms, with potentially significant impacts on quality and productivity. The new technology developed by Vet Vision AI, a spin-out company from the University of Nottingham, is designed to both spot problems and identify when and why cows are happy and healthy.
Vets can use low cost, portable cameras to monitor cows on multiple farms, with the AI recognising patterns in behaviour. This can then be analysed and the video footage turned into real-time, accurate data. 24-hour monitoring means farmers can confidently share unique insights into cow welfare that can’t always be identified during normal vet visits. As well as early identification of illness, the technology monitors positive improvements in cow behaviour and insights through AI analysis for the farmer to discuss and implement change, such as ways to increase comfort levels to mitigate disease.
The technology allows a ‘test and learn’ approach to welfare interventions. Healthier cows are more productive, so farming efficiency improves. If, for example, the AI advises improving cow comfort through increased lying time, this could lead to the cow becoming stronger on its hooves and able to produce more milk for the same amount of feed.
AI use on farms is an expanding area, but what sets this technology apart is the ability to show when a cow is thriving, as opposed to just spotting illnesses and ailments. Vet Vision AI is currently in use on 30 of Sainsbury's Dairy Development Group farms, and we aim to roll out the technology further next year.
Case study
Launch of Sainsbury’s Egg Group is a UK first
We have launched a new Egg Group to support our egg farmers, ensuring a stable supply of eggs and improving sustainability. This initiative is a first for the UK retail sector and has three key points of focus:
Financial security: we have committed to paying the cost of production or above for eggs, providing farmers with financial stability in a volatile market with the aim of encouraging investment in future innovation.
Enhanced animal welfare: with a focus on continuous animal welfare improvements, we utilise data and insights, which are shared between farms, to facilitate learning and best practice across the group.
Carbon reduction: farmers in our Egg Group are committed to carbon reduction and annual carbon footprint assessments. We support farmers in implementing sustainable practices, such as reducing soy in feed and transitioning to renewable energy – and farmers are already making progress in these areas.
