Booths backs RSPCA 'Freedom Food' scheme

Booths has become Britain's first food retailer to ensure that 100% of its Lakeland Herdwick lamb is "Freedom Food" accredited. Freedom Food is an independent charity set up by the RSPCA in 1994 to improve farm animal welfare, insisting on higher welfare standards than other UK farm assurance schemes.

Booths is backing the Freedom Food scheme to offer customers assurance of Herdwick quality and provenance, as well as the animal's welfare standards.

All farm animals under the Freedom Food scheme must be reared according to strict RSPCA welfare standards, covering each stage of an animal's life.

Booths has teamed up with farmers across Cumbria as part of the scheme, including Ian Knight, from the Wasdale valley, who has supplied Booths with Herdwick since 2006. He says: "Our customers already knew Herdwick has a fantastic flavour and comes from the heart of the Lake District, but Freedom Food has enabled us as farmers to demonstrate it is also produced to the highest welfare standards."

Nigel Cokell, Fresh Meat Buyer for Booths, says: "Our commitment to Freedom Food Lakeland Herdwick gives our customers the assurance of the highest level of animal welfare, plus the knowledge they're getting the best tasting, locally sourced product."

All members of the scheme are re-inspected by a Freedom Food trained assessor once a year. In addition, RSPCA farm livestock officers will carry out monitoring visits to ensure standards are maintained. If a member fails to comply with the rules of the scheme, their membership is withdrawn.

Leigh Grant, Chief Executive of Freedom Food, says: "We're delighted to welcome Lakeland Herdwick producers to the Freedom Food scheme and pleased Booths have recognised growing public demand for welfare assurance by stocking these Freedom Food labelled products."

The new Freedom Food Lakeland Herdwick lamb is available now until March 2009.

For more information on Booths visit Booths.co.uk.