Compassion celebrates its 2024 award winners

Today (21st October), we hosted our Good Farm Animal Welfare Awards in Paris, celebrating 49 winners from around the globe for their leadership in farmed animal welfare and sustainable, nature-friendly food.

We were delighted to welcome our patron, Deborah Meaden, as host of the ceremony where we recognised winners from over 15 countries whose commitments will positively benefit the lives of over 500 MILLION animals each year.

It’s inspiring to see so many businesses around the world making significant strides in animal welfare and sustainability. These awards shine a light on the growing number of companies dedicated to making positive change, at such a crucial time for farmed animals and the environment. Compassion’s expert Food Business team is uniquely positioned to support companies in transforming the lives of millions of animals and building a food system that is fit for the future.

Deborah Meaden

Listen to Awards podcast to hear some of the  inspiring contributions from this year's Award winners.

Ending the Cage Age  

This year saw a record number of awards presented to companies championing the cage-free movement for hens, sows, and rabbits, reinforcing Compassion’s mission to End the Cage Age.

These cage-free pioneers hailed not only from Europe, but also across Asia and Latin America – regions often seen as challenging markets, yet home to many of this year’s Good Egg Award winners, highlighting the growing global momentum for cage-free production.

Compassion’s CEO Philip Lymbery kicked-off the ceremony hosting a Q&A with Francesco Tramontin, VP Global Public Affairs at Ferrero, who shared Ferrero’s cage-free journey, highlighting their support for an EU-wide cage ban, and offering inspiration to others on the same path. 

We were delighted to present Ferrero with a global Good Egg Award at the ceremony, celebrating their ongoing dedication to sourcing cage-free eggs globally.

To support further transition to cage-free systems across the food industry, companies need legislators to enforce a cage ban. Compassion is calling on the UK Government to publish its long overdue consultation on the use of cages for laying hens, and to take decisive action to ban all caged systems in animal farming.

In Europe, the recent consensus in the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture was promising, and we urge the new EU Commission to progress toward delivering cage ban proposals by 2026 at the latest.

A brighter future for laying hens

This year, there were no less than 13 Good Egg Award winners from all over the world recognised for their cage-free egg commitments, including the very first Good Egg Award in India for producer Happy Hens.

Good Egg Award winners

• Ferrero (Global)
• Lidl (Poland)
• Lidl (Spain)
• Kipster (US)
• Hill’s Pet Nutrition (Europe)
• Happy Hens (India)
• Planalto Ovos (Brazil)
• Klong Phai Farm (Thailand)
• Natura Farm Brands - ‘Natura Cage-Free Eggs’ and ‘Ecocco’ (Japan)
• Sizenhoubokujyou Otafuku Tamago (Japan)
• Than-Kuhn Farm (Thailand)
• Hainan Xin Nong Biological Technology Co. Ltd (China)
• Joyful Farm in Carbon-Neutral Woods (China)

In addition, two companies from China received Good Egg Production Awards:

• 4 Star winner - Shandong Green Pine Agricultural Technology Co. Ltd
• 4 Star winner – Longyan Felicity Animal Husbandry Development Co. Ltd

Good news for pigs

There were five Good Pig Award winners, all from Italy, who are leading the shift to cage-free systems for sows during gestation (including the observation period) and farrowing and raising welfare standards by banning routine mutilations like tail docking and teeth clipping and providing enrichment for fattening pigs throughout their lives.

Good Pig Award winners

• Bompieri Allevamenti (Italy)
• Madeo Tenuta Corone (Italy)
• Piggly (Italy)
• Riserva 1878 by Citterio (Italy)
• San Guiseppe (Italy)

In addition, two Good Sow Commendations were awarded to US producers White Oak Pastures and Niman Ranch.

Sow Stall Free Award

In regions like Asia, the move towards cage-free systems for sows is still in its infancy, with limited regulation, market demand or awareness. It is especially commendable when producers and food companies in countries like China or Thailand voluntarily ban cages.

To recognise these efforts, the Sow Stall Free Award was introduced for leaders operating in challenging markets committed to phasing out sow stalls within five years.

This year the very first Sow Stall Free Award was presented to KPS Farm, a pioneering Thai producer implementing a 100% sow stall-free system, where all sows are group-housed during the dry period—an important step in improving pig welfare in Thailand.

Celebrating cage-free rabbits

Around the world millions of rabbits farmed for meat endure cramped, barren cages with only wire flooring to sit on, severely compromising their health and welfare. The lack of enrichment deprives them of the opportunity to perform essential natural behaviours.

Two companies received Good Rabbit Commendations in recognition of their commitments to implement cage-free housing for meat rabbits:  White Oak Pastures in the US and Les Mousquetaires in France.

Positive news for poultry

Compassion’s Good Chicken Award is aligned to the Better Chicken Commitment (BCC) to deliver better breeds for improved quality of life; more space to live; provision of natural light, perches and pecking substrates to stimulate natural behaviours; humane slaughter; and third-party auditing and annual public reporting.

All five Good Chicken Award recipients hailed from the USA this year:

• LaBelle Patrimoine
• Applegate 
• Campfire Treats 
• Evermore Pet Food
• Wild Nosh Pets

In addition, four Chinese companies received Good Chicken Production Awards, three of which attained a 5-star rating.

• 5 Star Award - Longyan Felicity Animal Husbandry Development Co., Ltd.
• 5 Star Award - Guangdong Tinoo's Foods Group Co., Ltd
• 5 Star Award - Hainan Chuanwei Wenchang Chicken Industry Co., Ltd.
• 4 Star Award - GuiZhou Great Endeavour Husbandry Co., Ltd.

Klong Phai Farm in Thailand received a Good Turkey Award for its commitment to high-welfare turkey farming. By using slower-growing breeds, providing outdoor access for natural behaviours, and raising turkeys without hormones or antibiotics, the farm promotes animal well-being.

Their ethical practices have made them a trusted supplier to over 300 hotels and restaurants, improving the welfare of thousands of turkeys annually.

Recognising dairy achievements

The Good Dairy Commendation recognises companies committed to implementing higher welfare standards for dairy cows, ensuring they have access to pasture, are not tethered, enjoy comfortable housing, and their welfare is monitored through key animal-based indicators.

This year, two Good Dairy Commendations were presented to: Fonterra (New Zealand) and Max Havelaar (France).

Fonterra, New Zealand's largest company and the world's 6th largest dairy producer, has worked with Compassion for over a decade to improve animal welfare. Their cows spend an average of 350 days on pasture, and their 'Cared for Cows' programme monitors welfare outcomes on farm. Fonterra also promotes higher welfare through open farm days and educational videos.

Max Havelaar is owner of the Fairtrade marks and marks the first time we've awarded a certification scheme. Compassion co-developed their dairy welfare standards, leading to strong animal welfare criteria and a Good Dairy Commendation.

Dutch dairy company Kalverliefde received a Good Calf Commendation for tackling the issue of cow-calf separation by keeping calves with their mothers for up to three months. The company also ensures outdoor access, ample space, and comfortable resting areas to minimise stress and promote animal welfare.

They also won this year's prestigious Best Marketing Award for their successful campaign that highlighted their unique policy of keeping calves with their mums, beautifully captured by the tagline "First the calf, then us". Watch the TV ad below.

Innovation driving progress

Innovation is key to meaningful change, and this year’s Best Innovation Award winner is revolutionising pig farming in the Netherlands. Zonvarken has developed a unique pig farming model that prioritises the highest standards of animal welfare while benefiting the environment and supporting farmers.

Swiss-based Regal Springs received the inaugural Aquaculture Innovation Award for its commitment to fish welfare. They are the first tilapia producer to research, develop, and implement humane electrical stunning methods specifically for tilapia, now applied across their entire production process.

Albert Heijn is the first retail chain in the Netherlands to ban eyestalk ablation in their shrimp supply chain, a policy already in effect for all fresh shrimp and will extend to frozen and processed shrimp by 2025, for which they received a Special Recognition Award.

M&S has developed a comprehensive protocol to monitor the health and welfare of shrimp throughout their supply chain. They exclusively source from producers that do not practice eyestalk ablation, making this a core requirement in their Select Farm standards, for which they also received a Special Recognition Award.

A Special Recognition Award was also presented to Chilean producer Cermaq for their global commitment to humane stunning methods for salmon.

Ethical farming: balancing welfare and nature

While species-specific welfare improvements are vital, the holistic efforts of some companies to tackle broader environmental impacts —such as soil degradation and biodiversity loss—are equally important.

Compassion’s Sustainable Food & Farming Awards celebrate both small producers and large food companies making strides in producing higher welfare meat, dairy and eggs, while protecting improving, regenerating and restoring wildlife and the environment.

This year’s ‘Corporate’ Sustainable Food & Farming Award went to Waitrose who has been testing and implementing a range of regenerative farming practices at its 2,800 acre Leckford Estate and has pledged to source UK meat, milk, eggs, fruit, and vegetables from farms using regenerative practices by 2035.

The winner of the ‘Producer’ Sustainable Food & Farming Award was White Oak Pastures in the US – their third award this year. The company has transformed from a conventional cattle operation into a diverse ecosystem with 14 species working to restore the land through regenerative farming.

Finca Regenerativa Valle del Conde in Spain received a Special Recognition Award in the Sustainable Food and Farming category. Since 2019, they have focused on regenerative agriculture, prioritising soil health through sheep grazing, which has transformed their olive fields into biodiverse, multi-species grasslands. This approach has fostered a thriving ecosystem and produced high-quality olive oil with an exceptional nutritional profile.

Investing in a sustainable food future

A key mission of Compassion is to encourage society to rethink its dietary choices, aiming to reduce meat and dairy consumption while increasing plant-based foods for a healthier planet.

Compassion’s Planet Friendly Award recognises companies that commit to meaningful reduction targets in their animal-sourced protein, set at 10%, 15%, and 25% over five years.

Lidl GB received a Bronze level Planet Friendly Award for being the first UK retailer to launch an ambitious protein strategy to shift the proportion of protein sales to 25% plant-based by 2030, supporting a move towards meeting the EAT-Lancet Planetary Health Diet and leading the industry in sustainable food transitions.

Compass Group France achieved the Gold level Planet Friendly Award for its ambitious commitment to reducing animal-sourced proteins by 25% by 2029. They are addressing key challenges such as farm animal welfare, protein diversification, meat reduction, and transitioning to regenerative agriculture.

Big Commitments: Driving Change

Since our Food Business programme began, OVER 3.1 BILLION animals are set to benefit each year from our corporate partners’ higher welfare policies and commitments.

Dr Tracey Jones, Global Director for Food Business, Compassion in World Farming concludes:

The geographical diversity, range of species, and the vast number of animals set to benefit from this year’s award winners is truly remarkable. With businesses represented from India, Japan, China, Thailand, New Zealand, and across the Atlantic to Brazil, Chile, and the USA, the global reach of Compassion’s message for positive change is clearly evident. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the winners.

While advancing animal welfare is important, it’s critical that we begin to transform our entire food system. Many of this year’s winners are leading the way, farming in harmony with nature, reducing reliance on animal proteins, and driving innovation. They stand as shining examples, proving that real change is possible—not only for the welfare of millions of farm animals but also for the health of people and the planet.

Our award winners have taken decisive action, demonstrating that successful business models can thrive while prioritising animal welfare. Cages are the very symbol of factory farming, and it’s inspiring to see so many companies dismantling that system and paving the way for a brighter future. To create a truly future-fit food system, we now need legislators to follow their exemplary lead.