Thailand: Tesco Lotus bans crate use in packaged pork
By 2027, all packaged pork sold at Thailand’s retailer Tesco Lotus will come from pigs reared by sows kept in group housing during gestation.
In a press release at the website of Tesco Lotus, it is said that the announcement shows the commitment of Tesco Lotus to upgrade levels of animal welfare in Thailand under the group’s Sustainable Sourcing Policy. The company has more than 2,000 stores throughout Thailand.
Apart from banning gestation crates in their production process for packaged pork, the retailer also announced to only sell eggs from hens kept in cage-free environment by 2028.
Pork and eggs are important products in Thailand
Chris Comerford, chairman of the board of commerce at Tesco Lotus, said: “Pork and eggs are important products for our customers in Thailand. Tesco Lotus sees the opportunity to raise the standard of procurement of these products beyond the requirements and laws in Thailand regarding food safety and animal welfare.”
More companies converted in Thailand
Tesco Lotus is not the first company in Thailand to move to gestation-free production. In an earlier stage, also retailer Tops Market, as well as major producers Betagro and Charoen Pokphand Foods decided to do the same. The animal welfare organisation World Animal Protection is often involved in making these changes.
