The Business Benchmark on Farm Animal Welfare, supported by Compassion in World Farming and the World Society for the Protection of Animals, is the first benchmark of its kind.

It is designed to help drive higher farm animal welfare standards in the world’s leading food businesses, with findings published last week.

Best practice on farm animal welfare was found to be integral to The Co-operative Food's business strategy.

Achieving 100 per cent for its leadership and innovation in farm animal welfare, The Co-operative was praised for its work to promote higher farm animal welfare to consumers, and its commitment to farm animal welfare throughout its supply chain.

In terms of farm animal welfare management, The Co-operative received recognition for its policy on free range eggs. All fresh eggs sold across its estate of more than 2,800 food stores are British and are either free range or organic, and have been since 2008, and all egg ingredients in Co-operative own-brand products are free range as a minimum.

Steve Murrells, The Co-operative Food Chief Executive, said: “Farm animal welfare is extremely important to us and our customers and members, and we adhere to a strict ethical policy to ensure we meet the high standards expected of us.

"It’s great to have our commitment recognised by The Business Benchmark on Farm Animal Welfare, which demonstrates how we are raising farm animal welfare standards.

“Choosing higher welfare products should not necessarily mean paying a premium price, and this is why our customers can be assured of higher welfare standards across all our ranges."