A ‘raised without antibiotics’ label has been launched on packs of pig meat in the UK. The first ‘antibiotic-free’ products will be bacon sold in supermarkets including Morrisons and Tesco, as well as at smaller retailers and through online shops.

The antibiotic-free meat comes from the Spoilt Pig / Brydock farms partnership (owned by the Karro group). The higher welfare pigmeat is covered by the RSPCA Assured scheme.

Under the new Brydock system, piglets are farrowed outdoors and brought indoors at weaning age. They are then kept at low stocking densities, on deep-straw bedding and with natural ventilation. On intensive farms, piglets can be weaned as early as 21 days, though the average weaning age in the UK is 26 days, and Brydock Farms’ pigs are weaned at 28 days.

There is no tail docking or teeth clipping on the farms and pigs are treated with antibiotics only when necessary, usually on an individual basis, with any treated pigs being sold separately under a Freedom Food label, but without the antibiotic-free label. In total, 85-90% of pigs raised receive no antibiotics.

Whilst the Alliance to Save Our Antibiotics welcomed the launch of the new range, stating that “The initiative shows how major improvements in animal husbandry and welfare can greatly contribute to reducing farm antibiotic use, while still delivering affordable meat,” the National Pig Association (NPA) said the antibiotic-free label “Must not be used as a gimmick just to sell a product.”

NPA’s chief executive Zoe Davies said the label could confuse customers.

Coilin Nunan, Scientific Advisor at the Alliance to Save Our Antibiotics, commented,“The Spoilt Pig/Brydock partnership provides an excellent example of how higher welfare standards help reduce the need for antibiotics. As the wider pig industry starts to reduce its overuse of antibiotics, let’s hope it is willing to learn from initiatives like this.”