A = Animal Friendly – avoiding abuse

We have responsibilities from God for looking after animals (Lk. 12.6). Abundant life for all demands that we produce our food in ways which nurture that life.

Animal welfare is neglected when eggs, dairy products, meat and fish are produced using intensive farming methods and long distance lorry transport. Animals are sensate/sentient beings and feel pain and suffer when ill-treated. Carbon and methane emissions from animal farming are boosting climate change.
All of us, whether vegan, vegetarian or meat-eater, can follow the ‘A’ of the LOAF principles. We can choose to eat less meat and to buy higher welfare meat. We will be respecting and nurturing the
creatures that God made.

See our guest blog by Professor David Clough on the Christian ethics of farmed animal welfare.

Tip: beware of confusing labels, ‘Red Tractor’ means very little in terms of welfare. Instead look out for “free range,” “outdoor reared/bred” or “RSPCA Assured”. Organically reared animals are subject to the strictest and best welfare regulations.

LOAF stands for food that is Locally produced, Organically grown, Animal friendly or Fairly traded.