Restaurants, pubs and hotels recognised for animal welfare policies

The awards highlight those food and fashion companies incorporating animal welfare into their ethical business policy.

The food awards have been divided into four categories: Independent Food Retailer; Supermarket; Pubs; and Caterers.

Those nominated have procedures in place to source high quality local and organic products that contribute to improved animal care on farms. They only use free range eggs and higher welfare meat such as free range chicken and outdoor reared pigs. They also publicise the provenance of the food to their customers, which raises awareness of the importance of higher animal welfare.

TV presenter Richard Johnson, independent food consultants Dr Geoff Spriegel and Prof John Webster, and Professor Emeritus at Bristol University have been judging the food categories.

Those hospitality businesses joining Due South and Strattons Hotel in the Pubs and Caterer categories, are The Feathers Inn in Hedley on the Hill, Northumberland; The Navigation Inn in Oswestry, Shropshire; The Oxenham Arms Inn and Restaurant in South Zeal, Devon; Lussmans Fish and Grill Restaurants in St Albans, Hertford and Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire; Accent Catering Services Ltd and Eco Cuisine.

Votes are invited through The Independent’s website www.independent.co.uk/voterspca until 9 September.