The British public has voted The Co-operative the nation’s favourite animal welfare-friendly supermarket. 
A clear winner, taking 59% of the vote, the ethical supermarket was awarded the RSPCA People’s Choice Award in conjunction with The Independent, which recognises the British supermarket that is making the biggest strides to improve animal welfare.
The awards, presented at a cocktail reception at London’s elegant One Marylebone, were judged by an independent panel of industry experts based on criteria set out by the RSPCA.
"As the first ever winner of the People's Choice Award, the Co-operative's continued commitment to animal welfare, which it applies right across its product ranges, has obviously struck a chord with the British public," said Richard Johnson, one of the panel of four judges in the food category.
The Co-operative is no longer selling eggs from caged hens, and is committed to making sure that all eggs used as ingredients will be free range by 2009. The supermarket's many achievements - which include making sure all its frozen and fresh chicken come from birds raised to the Elmwood Standard - highlight that there's a growing consumer demand for welfare-friendly products which doesn't seem to have been affected by the economic downturn."
“To be the media partner for the People’s Choice award was a natural fit for us,” said Martin Hickman, consumer affairs editor at The Independent. “We know our readers are interested and committed to shopping ethically and wanted to allow them the chance to vote for the supermarket that offers the most ethical shopping choices. We are delighted that The Co-operative won this award and hope that other supermarkets will follow their lead on animal welfare.”
David Bowles, Head of External Affairs for the RSPCA said, “Through the People’s Choice Award we wanted to give the public a chance to voice their opinions and reward the supermarket they believe has listened to them and made the biggest strides in improving animal welfare.
All the finalists in this category were selected by the judging panel for their commitment to achieving the highest standards of animal welfare. However, in the eyes of the public the Co-operative was the clear winner taking over half of the vote. This is the fifth year of the Good Business Awards and we felt it was important to reward the efforts being made by supermarkets that go the extra mile to promote animal welfare and recognise that consumers haven’t left behind their concerns for good animal welfare practises in a quest for value.”
“Our food retail winners have also set a high standard of Good Business practice for the industry to follow that they should be commended for,” continued Bowles. “Animal welfare is a topic that demands even closer links between farmers and retailers of all sizes, who must ensure their policies are both practical and actually put into practice”
The Co-operative’s top five animal welfare achievements are:
Freedom Food - The Co-operative was the first retailer to adopt the RSPCA’s Freedom Food scheme in 1994 and has constantly led in the development of new Freedom Food products, and, with in excess of 80 products, now stocks one of the largest ranges of Freedom Food products in the country. In 2008, the RSPCA presented The Co-operative with a Lifetime Achievement award for its commitment to animal welfare.
Free range eggs - The Co-operative only sells eggs that are British and that are Freedom Food free range or organic. We do not sell any eggs from caged hens. By the end of 2009, all liquid egg used as ingredients in Co-operative products will also be free range. The Co-operative was the first retailer to accurately label all egg boxes with the method of production, initially breaking the law in the labelling of intensively produced eggs. 
Higher Welfare Chicken - All Co-operative fresh and frozen own-brand chicken is British and raised to our higher welfare Elmwood standard, improving the welfare of over 20 million chickens each year. Elmwood means birds have natural ventilation, sunlit barns, 30% more space, a high cereal vegetarian diet, straw, perches and pecking objects, and 50% more darkness for rest.
Responsible Fishing - All The Co-operative’s own-brand fish is from responsible sources. The Co-operative only sources farmed fish from farms that have been inspected and audited and are able to demonstrate a responsible attitude. We are mindful of the diverse environmental, ecological and animal welfare issues associated with fishing, and The Co-operative is committed to the maintenance of an own-brand range of fishery products that enables the consumer to make welfare and responsible sourcing a factor in their purchasing decisions.
Outdoor-reared pork - All The Co-operative Truly Irresistible fresh pork, bacon and sausage ranges are produced using Freedom Food accredited, outdoor-reared Hampshire breed pork. The animals are reared in accordance with welfare standards devised and monitored by the RSPCA . These standards are based on the five welfare freedoms, ensuring the animals have a happy, healthy, active and comfortable life.