Waitrose Pledges to Allow Cows at Least 100 Days Grazing

03 Feb 2016 --- Waitrose is to guarantee that its dairy cows will be allowed at least 100 days grazing a year, as it looks to offset criticism from animal welfare groups over pasturing.

Waitrose is making the move as it looks to avoid criticism which has hit mega dairies over controversial zero grazing policies.

Animal welfare group say it is inhumane that cows in mega dairies spend their lives inside and are now allowed to graze.

Heather Jenkins, Waitrose director of agriculture Heather Jenkins, said: "We’ve always requires our farmer to graze their dairy herds outside but this move puts in place a minimum benchmark of at least 100 days a year.”

"Getting dairy cows outside and on grass pasture whenever possible not only produces great quality milk but is a key aspect of good animal welfare, something we believe is of the utmost importance."

Waitrose’s milk is produced by dairy farms in Oxfordshire, Somerset, Devon and other parts of the south of England.

Philip Lymbery, chief executive of World Farming said: "I think that most consumers presume that all dairy cows are allowed out on pasture."