Organic meat producer granted Royal Warrant
The business incorporates the farm, the wholesale meat business, the cutting plant, the butcher’s counter at Rhug Farm shop and Rhug’s stall at London’s Borough Market.
The Royal Warrant of Appointment Certificate, issued on 1 April 2018, states Rhug Organic Farm is certified, by command of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, to supply organic meat to His Royal Highness’ households. Rhug has been supplying meat to the Royal households for the past six years, including Welsh lamb, chickens, turkeys and bison meat.
In order to be eligible, the Royal Household expects holders of Royal Warrants of Appointment to have a responsible approach to sustainability issues.
Companies considered are expected to understand the environmental and social impacts of their business activities and to do what they can to manage them, including the use of renewable natural resources, extraction of raw materials, supply chain management and traceability, minimising waste, the fair treatment of people and standards of animal welfare.
Rhug Farm is described as a self-contained ‘field to plate’ operation, applying the highest standard of sustainability when producing beef, lamb, chickens, geese and turkeys.
Lord Newborough of the Rhug Estate ascribed this to organic farming methods which embrace the highest animal welfare standards; by not using sprays or artificial fertiliser and by not routinely injecting or drenching animals, and handling them all the time, this helps to minimise stress and a happy animal produces the best quality of meat.
Lord Newborough said: “Being awarded the Royal Warrant is a dream come true. I am so thrilled for my team at Rhug who work so hard to embrace the highest standards of animal welfare and all the rewards of sustainable farming we practise here at Rhug. To have this recognition means everything.
“We are proud to fly the Welsh flag wherever we sell our meat in the world. As far as I know, there are less than 20 warrant holders in Wales and, I believe, we will be the only organic farm and cutting plant. This is an honour that cannot be bought and only earnt. I am so proud of what we have achieved here at Rhug over the last 20 years. This is truly wonderful news.”
He added: “It might be my name on the Certificate when it arrives, but the Royal Warrant is wonderful recognition and reward for the hard work, vision and dedication to sustainable farming shown by the whole team here at the Rhug who all share the same vision and passion and rewards for sustainable farming.”
