AN animal welfare charity is calling on members of the public to respond to a food labelling consultation - before it closes in just three weeks. 

In March, the government launched an eight-week consultation into clearer food labelling on how pork, chicken and eggs are produced.

The consultation looks at how to improve country of origin labelling for certain goods, including how and where this information is displayed and what products should be included. 

The RSPCA is hoping this transparency will empower consumers and encourage them to buy higher welfare products and ultimately improve farm animal welfare standards.

David Bowles, head of public affairs at the RSPCA, said: “We all want to think that farm animals have a good life and no one wants to unwittingly contribute to low animal welfare and support practices that they don’t agree with. But currently, the poor labelling of food products means people lack the information to know what they’re buying.

“The public has a right to clear and consistent labelling so they can make an informed choice about the products they buy.

“Packets with images of animals surrounded by rolling green hills have misled the public for too long when the reality for some of these animals looks very different. It’s made it increasingly difficult for consumers to ensure they are buying higher welfare when labels are often confusing and misleading.”

To take part in the consultation, click here. 

A survey carried out by the RSPCA in 2023 found that more than four out of five people (81%) think having a level of knowledge about the condition the animals have been reared and kept in is important when purchasing products, and 79% of people believe that they can improve animal welfare through their purchasing habits.

Method of production labelling is currently available on eggs, with terms such as free-range, barn or caged hens. The RSPCA has said that since this was introduced in 2004, there has been an increase in sales of cage-free eggs from around 30% up to 60% of products sold.

“By having clear labelling on products, the public can make an informed choice and we hope that this will see interest and demand for higher welfare products increase, which will in turn drive up farm animal welfare standards here in the UK," David added.

"This is vital if we are to achieve a more sustainable, welfare-focused farming future where intensive farming and outdated practices such as hens and sows in cages become a thing of the past.

“Consumer buying behaviour with eggs proves that, given the choice, the public want to purchase higher welfare food and we’re pleased that this consultation will widen the scope of egg labelling to processed foods containing eggs as an ingredient and not just shell eggs, as it currently stands.

"We urge the public to have their say in this consultation and help make mandatory animal welfare labelling a reality.”