Two key ingredients go into our beef. Integrity and respect.

At ABP we are proud to come from Ireland’s long tradition of animal husbandry, learning from generations of farmers who went before us. Our company culture, as well as our natural inclination, insists on treating animals with the utmost care. Certainly, what’s good for the animal is good for the quality of the meat, but we do it for an altogether better reason. Because it’s right.

We meet industry standards of animal care. Then we go beyond them.

It’s only proper that we treat our animals with dignity in an environment where, as often as possible, they can graze on lush pasture. We select farmers who share our same commitment, letting cattle roam in nature, blessed by the weather and the richness of the grass, living a calm, stress-free life.

To achieve the highest standards of animal welfare, we work with industry-leading professionals including Dr. Temple Grandin, to design and plan our facilities and procedures. To ensure the best veterinary care, we have dedicated animal welfare officers at each site and registered veterinary expertise at senior levels across the business.

ABP cattle

The Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare

In our approach to animal husbandry, we’re guided by these principles:

  • Freedom from hunger and thirst
  • Freedom from discomfort
  • Freedom from pain, injury or disease
  • Freedom to express normal behaviour
  • Freedom from fear and distress

We adhere to these principles by ensuring our cattle have ready access to fresh water and a healthy diet; preventing pain, or rapidly treating it; providing enough space, proper facilities, and company of the animal’s own kind; and ensuring conditions and treatment that avoids causing them stress.

The cattle and other animals on our farms are the heart of our business. Without them, we’re nothing. ABP will never take for granted the bounty they provide.