Published 19/11/2010

21 Universities awarded 'Good Eggs' or 'Good Chickens' at Compassion's first ever University Good Farm Animal Welfare Awards launch last night (18th November 2010)

Held at Headington Hill Hall in Oxford Brookes University, special guests twice Michelin star chef Paul Merrett hosted the launch of the University Awards and Professor Donald Broom, retired Professor of Animal Welfare in the Department of Veterinary Medicine, Cambridge University gave a compelling lecture titled ' Sentience, Welfare and Obligations to Animals'.

Good Egg Award winners included:

• The Royal Veterinary College
• University College London
• London School of Economics
• Goldsmiths College

Good Chicken Award winners included:

• Oxford Brookes University
• University of Winchester
• University of Portsmouth

In high demand

Compassion launched the Good Farm Animal Welfare Awards for businesses on July 14th 2010 at St. Paul's Cathedral to recognise good practice and leadership within the food industry. The success of this event led to the natural progression of awarding Universities who are dedicated to improving their ethical sourcing.

Free range students

The 'Good Awards' recognise Universities that are committed to sourcing higher welfare eggs and chicken across their catering and showcased the best in class through case study films and presentations.

In the most recent Student Lifestyle Report conducted by NUS, students named non free range status for farm animal produce the number one reason for students to boycott products or services (The Student Lifestyle Report 2010, NUS Services Ltd).

Host Paul Merrett said:

"It was a fantastic night, full of University catering staff who were proud to be a part of Compassion's movement towards ending factory farming for good. Switching to free-range eggs and higher welfare chicken is simply the most sustainable thing to do from an ethical, social and environmental perspective and I fully support Compassion's 'Good Awards'."

What we are achieving

The Good Farm Animal Welfare Awards have been instrumental in improving the life for millions of animals. Our Good Egg Award winners are set to free 25 million laying hens from barren battery cages and all our 2010 UK Good Chicken Award winners alone will be responsible for over 174 million broiler chickens living more natural lives.

Professor Broom has lectured on animal welfare in 38 countries and has been Chair or Vice Chair of EU scientific committees on Animal Welfare since 1990 and chaired the World Organisation for Animal Health group on Welfare of Animals during Land Transport.

Professor Broom said:

"Good welfare in animals is a key part of the sustainability of animal production systems and is increasingly important to people in many countries. Compassion's Good Farm Animal Welfare Awards draw attention to the possibility for any organisation or individual to promote good welfare by selective purchasing and I congratulate those who have won them."

The Food Business Team

Compassion in World Farming's Food Business Team engages with Europe's leading food companies, inspiring progress through prestigious awards and supporting products and initiatives which represent tangible benefits for farm animals.

Katy Read, Food Business Manager for Compassion said:

"We are delighted to see such demand from Universities across the UK and the Food Business Team are excited to be working with Good Egg Award winners Oxford Brookes University to recognise best practice in the industry. With this event we aim to inspire institutions and their students to make positive choices and work with us to improve the lives of farm animals and the environment."

Full list of winners