Exploring the Link Between Animal Welfare and Environmental Conservation
The meat processing industry has a bad reputation for causing animal welfare and environmental concerns, it makes total sense. Animals are taken away from their natural habitat and used for human consumption. Is it possible to continue processing meat while being mindful of animal welfare and the environment? The answer is yes absolutely.
Balancing the consumer demands of animal welfare and environmental conservation is challenging for slaughterhouses, abattoirs and cutting plants alike. However, understanding and addressing the link between these two crucial concerns is not only a consumer demand, but also helps create a more sustainable and compassionate approach to livestock farming.
Let’s explore the link between these two aspects in more detail, and explain how HP Westwood prioritises both in their meat processing operations.
Sustainable Farming
As we already know, animal welfare involves providing good housing, nutrition and care to support the physical and psychological well-being of livestock. What you may not know is promoting animal welfare can also contribute to environmental conservation practices. Rotational grazing, agroforestry, adding additives to animal feed to reduce the release of methane (a greenhouse gas) and managing water usage are some ways livestock farmers can practice sustainable farming.
These practices not only improve animal welfare and soil health locally but also slow down climate change and support our planet for a better future. Luckily, more and more UK farmers are being encouraged to practice sustainable farming where possible. For instance, the Sustainable Farming Incentive rewards UK farmers with payment schemes for sustainable farming practices.
How Do We Prioritise Animal Welfare and Environmental Conservation?
The meat processing industry can address these two concerns by sourcing livestock from farmers who prioritise animal welfare and sustainable practices. At HP Westwood, we do this by partnering with local Staffordshire farmers who are assured with the Red Tractor and the RSPCA. Both of these accreditations give our clients confidence that our meat products are produced with only the highest standards of animal welfare and quality in mind. Partnering with local farmers also helps us reduce our carbon footprint during transportation.
Contact Us Today
To learn more about our practices and how we continue to balance animal welfare and environmental conservation at HP Westwood, speak to a member of our team today by calling us directly on 01543 279463. Otherwise, if you are interested in supplying your butchering business with our local Staffordshire meat, feel free to browse our services and product range.