I'm torn better supporting local butchers (and therefore small, local abattoirs) and buying free range and/or organic meat (getting both is difficult and costly).
I would say supporting local butchers and abattoirs is the better way to go. UK farm welfare standards are not bad, even if they aren't organic. Transporting animals long distances to be slaughtered is bad for the animals, bad for the environment, and bad for the taste of the resultant meat as stress hormones taint the quality. Local is where it's at as far as I'm concerned.
