02

Lamb

Most UK lamb is reared outdoors for part of its life, which is why the industry uses it as its shop window. Tail docking, castration and winter housing don't appear on the label.

Label

Supermarket’s Own Label

Our verdict

Don't buy it.

Pros

  • Likely reared outside of a factory farm for part of their lives.

Cons

  • Could be imported.
  • The sheep may spend many months indoors inside an industrial UK farm.
  • Animals can be legally and painfully mutilated (tails cut off, castration).
  • Mothers may be impregnated surgically.
  • May be fed large amounts of concentrates, which can impact their digestive systems.
  • May use toxic organophosphorus dips to control parasites.
  • Significant environmental impact, including over-grazing and loss of wildlife.
  • Almost one third of UK sheep are slaughtered without being stunned, and are intended for the kosher and halal markets but not labelled as such.
Label

Red Tractor

Our verdict

Don't fall for it. Don't buy it.

Pros

  • Likely reared outside of a factory farm for part of their lives.

Cons

  • Could spend many months indoors inside an industrial UK farm.
  • Animals may be mutilated (tails cut off, castration).
  • Animals may be mutilated (tails cut off, castration).
  • May be fed large amounts of concentrates, which can impact their digestive systems.
  • May use toxic organophosphorus dips to control parasites.
  • Significant environmental impact, including over-grazing and loss of wildlife.
  • Almost one third of UK sheep are slaughtered without being stunned, and are intended for the kosher and halal markets but not labelled as such.
Label

RSPCA Assured

Our verdict

A mixed bag, but less bad than some.

Pros

  • Reared outside of a factory farm in the spring and summer.
  • No surgical impregnation.
  • Pain relief must be given for mutilations (castration and tail docking).
  • A limit on the amount of concentrates given.
  • Stunning before slaughter is mandatory.

Cons

  • Could spend many months indoors inside an industrial UK farm.
  • Significant environmental impact, including over-grazing and loss of wildlife.
  • May use toxic organophosphorus dips to control parasites, but use may be more restricted than others.
Label

Organic (Soil Association)

Our verdict

Some worrying elements, but less bad than some.

Pros

  • Reared outside during the "grazing season" and brought inside only when weather or dangers demand.
  • No use of toxic organophosphorus dips to control parasites.
  • Pain relief expected when undertaking mutilations (castration and tail docking).
  • Sheep must be stunned before slaughter.

Cons

  • Could spend many months indoors inside an industrial UK farm.
  • May still allow surgical impregnation of the mothers.
  • Significant environmental impact, including over-grazing and loss of wildlife.
Take it further

Questions to ask

Ask your butcher, seller, or server about lamb.

  • The name and location of the farm.
  • Were the mothers surgically impregnated as most are?
  • Did the lambs undergo castration or tail docking without anaesthetic?
  • How far were the animals transported to slaughter?
  • Were the sheep stunned before slaughter?
  • What was the method of slaughter?
  • Is there a plant-based version?

Get the Truth

Join our newsletter for investigations and campaign updates.

Sign Up
Prev
02 Beef
Next
02 Turkey & Duck