To mark its 15th anniversary, the RSPCA’s Freedom Food scheme has recognised 10 people – including farmers, a scientist and a celebrity chef - for their instrumental work in driving higher animal welfare standards in the food and farming industry.

A panel of staff - from the RSPCA’s farm animal science team and Freedom Food - nominated key individuals for a special award who have gone the extra mile to help improve the lives of farm animals, and who have been integral to the success of Freedom Food.

Awards went to:

Ashley Bowes, Bowes of Norfolk - for his unfailing support of Freedom Food from the outset and invaluable contribution to the development of RSPCA pig standards.  Ashley has encouraged the wider pig industry to progress animal welfare and proactively ensured Bowes involvement in Freedom Food.

Jeff Vergerson, Noble Foods – was one of the first members of Freedom Food. Jeff has always been motivated by welfare and is an active member of the RSPCA Freedom Food working group for laying hens, playing an integral role in the development of the standards.   Jeff was a founder member of the British Free Range Egg Producers Association (BFREPA) formed in December 1991, and has influenced improvements in hen welfare throughout the industry.

 Nick Joy, Loch Duart - for being instrumental in the development of the first RSPCA welfare standards for farmed salmon in 2002, and becoming the first Freedom Food accredited salmon producer.  Seven major salmon producers have since followed his lead, and now around 60 per cent of salmon produced in Scotland is farmed under Freedom Food.

Rob Macklin, National Trust - has spent 10 years working hard to ensure good welfare for all farm animals on National Trust properties.  Under Rob’s lead it is now a requirement for all National Trust managed farms to be either Freedom Food or organic.  Rob made Freedom Food approval a condition for all livestock farms entering the National Trust Fine Food Awards.

Andrew Maunder, Two Sisters Willand - for his dedication to achieving improvements for broiler chickens throughout the industry, and increasing the availability of Freedom Food labelled chicken in retailers.  Andrew was involved in trial work that led to the introduction of a specially selected slow growing breed as part of the RSPCA standard.

Alastair Mews, ex- Head of RSPCA Farm Animals Department - received a post-humous award for being the driving force behind Freedom Food and convincing the RSPCA it was the way forward.  Sadly Alastair died shortly before Freedom Food was launched.

Andrew Nicholson, Co-operative - has worked continually to drive knowledge and understanding of the benefits of higher welfare standards for farm animals, within the Co-operative and actively championed Freedom Food.  The retailer was the first to stock Freedom Food labelled products.

Mike Sharpe, ex-chief executive of Freedom Food - provided huge input to the Curry Report (Future of Farming) and the subsequent Food Standards Agency report into farm assurance, which dramatically changed the role and operation of the assurance industry.  Mike championed UKAS accreditation and Freedom Food was one of the first assurance schemes to operate to the European standard. He also convinced the Lion Code to gain accreditation. UKAS accreditation is now a prerequisite for all assurance schemes.

Sir Michael Simmons – is Chair of the RSPCA Freedom Food working groups for turkeys, ducks, pigs and sheep, facilitating the progression of the welfare standards. He was also the longest serving non-executive Freedom Food board member, as well as ex-chief executive of the Humane Slaughter Association.

Antony Worrall Thompson - for contributing recipes to Freedom Food’s Celebrity Recipe Collections, which have helped teach consumers about higher welfare.  Antony has also hosted a Freedom Food lunch for food writers at his Notting Grill Restaurant, and sent letters to the media in support of Freedom Food.  The publicity he has helped generate has encouraged more producers to join the scheme, and more consumers to choose higher welfare products.

Leigh Grant, Chief Executive of Freedom Food, said:  “Fifteen years ago the RSPCA set up Freedom Food with a vision to improve the lives of animals farmed for food, and it is with thanks to these award winners that this vision has come such a long way.

“Freedom Food simply wouldn’t be where it is today – with more than 379 million farm animals on the scheme and giving consumers a greater welfare choice - without their dedication.

“Each has played a unique and major role in helping drive higher animal welfare standards, not only within the Freedom Food scheme, but also the wider food and farming industry.  We applaud them for their hard work and continual commitment to the cause.”

The award winners each received a limited edition print of the nine species of animals covered by Freedom Food, at a celebratory lunch held at The Vincent Rooms in London.