For Species-appropriate Life

An increasing number of consumers consider animal welfare when they shop. Migros is happy to meet this consumer demand and sells predominantly domestic meat: nearly 100% of beef, veal and pork is produced domestically. The figure is 70% for poultry. This meat is produced in accordance with our animal welfare provisions, which are strict by international comparison and do not have long transport routes. The retailer also relies on domestic production for its eggs: 78% are sourced in Switzerland. Migros imports 80% of its rabbit meat from Hungary; the remaining 20% comes from Switzerland. In 2009 Migros decided to implement animal-friendly rabbit husbandry in accordance with Swiss animal welfare law at its suppliers in Hungary. The corresponding conversion of the hutches is progressing as planned and should be completed by the end of 2011.

Expanded label programmes

Under its label programme, Migros promotes a standard of animal husbandry that exceeds legal requirements. Under the TerraSuisse label, for example, farmers keep their pigs, cattle, lambs and poultry in animal-friendly stable systems (BTS) with regular opportunities to move about outdoors (RAUS). Calves are kept on straw in groups and fed with fresh cow's milk and hay in an animal-friendly way. Migros Bio also attaches great importance to animal-friendly husbandry. A total of 95% of the veal, 87% of poultry, 86% of beef and 76% of pork sold in Switzerland meet one or more of these label requirements. The share of organic and free-range eggs is 41%. As part of TerraSuisse, Swiss Animal Protection SAP monitors the transportation of slaughter animals; checks were also started in the slaughterhouses last year.

New pasture meat quality seal
In 2010 Migros rolled out the Bio Weide-Beef and Weide-Beef beef programmes. In both programmes, Swiss cows are kept in groups, have outdoor access throughout the year and spend summers on pastures. In addition, measures are taken to promote biodiversity. Transport and conditions in the slaughterhouses are monitored by Swiss Animal Protection SAP. Bio Weide-Beef was rated as «highly recommended» by WWF Switzerland, the Foundation for Consumer Protection and Swiss Animal Protection in the Guidebook for Food Labels in 2010. Migros offers the new pasture meat in combination with From the Region. For the Region.

Fairness starts underwater

Migros joined the WWF Seafood Group in 2008 and has removed endangered fish species from its range, while extending the range of label products under MSC (from sustainable certified fisheries) and Migros Bio (from certified aquaculture). In addition to the requirements for Bio Migros, the international GlobalGAP standard sets requirements for environmentally friendly and socially sustainable production in fish farms, which must also observe basic animal welfare guidelines during their production. Such certified produce is procured where possible. Migros has had GlobalGAP fresh salmon and smoked salmon in its range since 2009; pangasius was added last year. Under Migros Bio, Migros offers its customers a broad range of fish and seafood from organic aquacultures, which are subject to the strict requirements of the label.