Experts collaborate on guidance to help public bodies make food purchasing decisions that support animal welfare. Policy guidance from a team of experts aims to help local authorities and health boards in Scotland to support animal welfare through the food they buy. Under the Good Food Nation Act, public organisations must consider how food-related decisions affect a range of outcomes, including animal welfare. Researchers from the School's Division of Global Agriculture and Food Systems and Animal Welfare Centre have supported the Scottish Food Coalition in developing evidence-informed practical steps to support higher animal welfare. The Scottish Food Coalition, of which the Division of Global Agriculture and Food Systems is a member, brings together organisations working to create healthier, more sustainable food systems. Recommendations include the use of recognised welfare assurance schemes, greater uptake of plant-based foods in public sector catering, and stronger consideration of animal welfare in food buying and planning decisions. Evidence-based guidance One of the challenges facing public organisations is translating broad policy goals into practical actions. The guidance seeks to address this by outlining achievable steps organisations can take in food procurement. The framework provides a progression pathway, helping organisations identify immediate actions as well as more ambitious goals for the future. It highlights recognised welfare assurance schemes and certification standards across a range of animal products, including meat, dairy and eggs. “Recommendations are grouped into first, next and further steps, allowing organisations to improve standards at a pace that reflects their resources and circumstances,” explains Professor Lindsay Jaacks, Head of the Division of Global Agriculture and Food Systems. Welfare standards The guidance document brings together expertise from animal welfare science, food systems research, industry groups and non-governmental organisations. The guidance encourages organisations to use recognised animal welfare assurance schemes when sourcing products, and providing a clear progression to higher-welfare production systems Dr Rebecca Doyle, Animal Welfare Centre Director It also recommends engaging suppliers about higher-welfare products and considering animal welfare within procurement and planning decisions. The document highlights the need for further research in areas where knowledge gaps remain rather than making unsupported recommendations, particularly around fish welfare. Sustainable food systems The guidance emphasises that improving animal welfare can support wider societal goals. Alongside recommendations on higher-welfare animal products, it encourages more plant-based foods in public sector catering, such as incorporating more beans, pulses and vegetables into everyday dishes, and using menu design to encourage uptake. Higher welfare production systems can be associated with benefits including improved animal health, reduced disease risks, biodiversity gains and better outcomes for workers, the research team explains. The guidance also highlights opportunities to strengthen local food economies by supporting producers adopting higher-welfare farming practices. Examples highlighted include local authority initiatives that have successfully promoted sustainable diets, ethical food sourcing, and higher animal welfare through school lunches and public catering services. Wide impact Researchers believe the guidance framework could have value beyond the local authorities and health boards for which it was developed. “While developed to support Good Food Nation planning in Scotland, it's clear and practical format may also prove useful for other organisations, policymakers and consumers seeking accessible information on animal welfare standards,” explains Dr Doyle. The team hopes the guidance will help inform ongoing local authority and health board plans, providing a common framework for considering animal welfare within food policy decisions. The policy guidance was published in the Scottish Food Coalition website. The Division of Agriculture and Food Systems is supporting the Scottish Food Coalition in developing guidance documents for further outcomes, such as public health and climate change. As Good Food Nation plans begin to emerge across Scotland, this guidance offers a route for translating animal welfare research into practical action, helping ensure that scientific evidence can contribute to real-world improvements for animals, producers and communities alike. Professor Lindsay Jaacks, Head of the Division of Global Agriculture and Food Systems Related links Policy guidance briefing Good Food Nation PlanScottish Food CoalitionAnimal Welfare Centre website Tags Agriculture Blog This article was published on Wednesday 26 August 2026
