Animal welfare

VION is trying to enable the castration of male piglets in Europe  to be ended in a responsible  manner, and some major steps forward were taken this year.

VION carried out extensive studies into controlling and avoiding boar taint from pigmeat. As a result of this study, we have managed to convince major buyers in the Dutch retail sector of the possibility of ceasing castration, while at the same time guaranteeing meat that is free from boar taint. In the European Brussels Declaration the member states of the EU agreed that they will stop castration by 2018.

VION is developing market concepts in which higher levels of animal welfare and sustainability have been anchored. We also support a move to clearer labelling so that customers and consumers can recognise the product’s origin.

Wide Product portfolio
VION Food Group has a wide product portfolio to meet the diverse demands  of the marketplace. We develop a wide range of foodstuffs, in which meat takes a central role. Smaller portions, possibly combined  with vegetables, are available for consumers who prefer less meat on their menu. VION also produces products that are a combination of animal and vegetable proteins. Our range is completed by vegetable products from the VION company Oerlemans Foods (deep frozen vegetables, fruit and potato products), as well as by vegetarian products offered by VION either as private label products  or under its own brand name Vegetaria, the largest vegetarian brand in Germany.

Supra-statutory animal welfare and sustainability levels can only be sustainably achieved if they are supported by the market. That is VION’s vision. Together with its customers,
 
VION  offers  organic and free-range meat concepts  to customers who prefer meat that has been produced sustainably and in high welfare systems. In the Dutch market, the Good Farming Star was developed through a partnership of Albert Heijn, the Dutch Society for Prevention  of Cruelty to Animals,  pig farmers  and VION Food  Netherlands,  to satisfy  the demand of a growing group of consumers. VION’s organic butcher De Groene Weg supplies three-star  meat in the Netherlands,  VION Food UK delivers two-star meat, and Vion Food Netherlands produces meat that has been awarded one star under the Beter Leven (Better Life) quality mark of the Dutch Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.