Cranswick’s Group Technical Supply Chain Controller Matt Brown explains why the latest BBFAW accreditation is such a big achievement for the company, and what it means looking ahead.
“Cranswick is absolutely delighted to announce that we’ve been awarded the highest performance ranking of Tier One in the global Business Benchmark on Farm Animal Welfare (BBFAW). This is the fourth year in a row that we’ve achieved this top spot and we’re proud to be one of just two food processors in the world to hold this title.
The BBFAW puts all elements of animal welfare management at the front and centre of the global food industry, measuring everything from policy and performance reporting, to innovation and leadership. Companies are ranked on 37 exacting criteria and need an average score of 80% for Tier One status. In 2019, we achieved an average score of 90% – much higher than the overall sector average of just 35%.
We’ve been involved with the BBFAW since the very first assessment back in 2012, and we’ve been improving every year. This year, we’re especially proud to have achieved 100% scores for two benchmark elements: ‘management, commitment and policy’, and ‘innovation and leadership’. This is a testament to the work our people do both within Cranswick and beyond.
“Cranswick is one of just two food processors to be awarded Tier 1 status”
We didn’t put ourselves forward for BBFAW recognition – we, like all the other companies that have been ranked, are assessed because we’re large enough to be influential to others within our industry. This is a responsibility that we take very seriously, and our ambition to drive good practice across the sector is what has helped us achieve Tier One status, which recognises us as leaders in the field of animal welfare.
But the BBFAW is rigorous and thorough. It holds us to account, and while obtaining Tier One status is a fantastic achievement, maintaining it is an ongoing job. Every year, new criteria is added to the benchmark while the industry grows and innovates. It’s our job to stay one step ahead. We wouldn’t be able to do this without animal welfare being such an integral part of our operations, something that we know is important for all our colleagues – no matter where they work in the business – to understand. It’s at the heart of everything we do, and it’s the foundation of our pioneering Second Nature sustainability strategy.
“Animal welfare is at the heart of everything we do”
This in turn contributes to the success of our business. The BBFAW – and indeed animal welfare overall – is becoming increasingly recognised by our customers, suppliers and even consumers, and as the global narrative around sustainability grows, companies that take proactive measures to drive positive change are best placed to be future fit. We want to be one of them.
It’s wonderful to be recognised for our good work, and we are honoured to be regarded as a positive leader within our sector. Cranswick will keep innovating, learning, adapting and challenging – all in pursuit of our ambition to become the most sustainable meat business in the world.”
Matt Brown, Group Technical Supply Chain Controller
What is BBFAW?
The Business Benchmark on Farm Animal Welfare (BBFAW) is the leading global measure of farm animal welfare management, policy commitment, performance and disclosure in food companies. Since its inception in 2012, it’s helped investors, companies, NGOs and other stakeholders to understand corporate practice and performance on farm animal welfare, which has directly resulted in improvements in the welfare of animals reared for food around the world.