Greggs has joined M&S, Waitrose and Premier Foods at the top of a global list on animal welfare performance.

According to Business Benchmark on Farm Animal Welfare (BBFAW), which ranks 150 global food giants on their animal welfare policies, practices and performance, there has been marginal positive progress this year.

Average overall scores across all companies rose one percentage point for the second consecutive year, and 14 companies moved up a tier ranking.

Food companies were assessed across 51 criteria and five pillars, providing a ranking across six tiers.

Greggs, M&S, Premier Foods and Waitrose are the only companies reaching ‘tier two’ of the benchmark – meaning they have made animal welfare an integral part of their business strategy and achieved a score between 62-80% against all BBFAW criteria.

However, 118 companies (79%), including Nestle, McDonald’s and Cargill, are in the bottom two tiers (tiers five and six) – meaning they provide little or no evidence that they have policies or processes in place to manage farm animal welfare effectively, according to BBFAW.

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The globally recognised BBFAW’s ‘Impact Rating’ also grades companies (from ‘A’ to ‘F’) on their tangible welfare impacts. Grades are based on Performance Impact questions which, for example, measure the percentage of cage-free laying hens in a company’s supply chain, the proportion of dairy cattle free from disbudding and dehorning, and the proportion of pigs free from tail docking.

At the top of the 2024 Impact Ratings, M&S, Premier Foods and Fonterra qualify for a high ‘B’ grade for the first time. In total 14 companies (9%) improved their Impact Rating in 2024.

However, a large majority of benchmarked companies (91%) score the lowest Impact Rating grades of ‘E’ or ‘F’. This means they have yet to show they are delivering improved welfare impacts for farm animals in their supply chains.

BBFAW executive director Nicky Amos said: “This is the second year of results since BBFAW introduced more stringent criteria and it’s encouraging to see companies responding positively with 14 companies moving up a tier, and a further 14 improving their Impact Rating.

“It’s not just animals that feel the benefit of those changes – with more space to roam and fewer farm animals suffering mutilations or long-distance live transportation. Companies feel the benefits too – in terms of building their reputation with consumers and getting ahead of potential regulation.

“Perhaps most striking this year is the Atlantic Gap. While the UK is the highest-performing region, practically all North American food companies are stuck in the bottom two tiers of the benchmark.”

Premier Foods director of procurement added: “As one of the UK’s largest food producers we have an extensive and complex supply chain, which enables us to drive meaningful progress for both our business and support our suppliers to do the same.

“We have integrated farm animal welfare into our procurement approach and contracts, reviewing supplier performance on an annual basis and conducting additional spot checks. We remain committed to driving continuous improvements in animal welfare.”