Food retailers are being urged to enter this year’s RSPCA Good Business Awards, which recognise ethical business approaches to animal welfare.

This follows evidence that consumers are increasingly demanding higher standards in the welfare of the food they buy.
According to new research, 57% of UK consumers see animal welfare as an important ethical issue to consider when buying a product, up from 48% a year ago. Human rights (55%) and protecting the environment (55%) are also considered important issues.
Reflecting these consumer attitudes, the Good Business Awards recognise food retailers which set out to source their meat, fish, dairy products and eggs from suppliers that maintain high animal welfare standards. Last year, Tesco was given an innovation award for its sustainable dairy initiative.
The RSPCA Good Business Awards gala ceremony will be held at the Natural History Museum, London on Thursday 9 October 2008.