Animal welfare groups call on Tesco to join Better Chicken Commitment
Calls for the UK’s largest retailer to fully adopt the Better Chicken Commitment have come following the supermarket’s decision to commit to giving its reared birds more space.
The Humane League welcomed Tesco’s decision to improve the lives of approximately 150 million birds by giving its own-label fresh chicken 20% more space than the industry standard, but said it was time for the company to fully adopt the Better Chicken Commitment and end fast-growing breeds.
Public support
The Humane League met Tesco in 2018/9 and took action against the supermarket at its AGM in 2022, but said its ‘Supermarket Sells Suffering’ campaign, which had also been raised against Morrisons, Lidl and the Co-op, had amassed immense support from the public.
Claire Williams, campaign manager at the Humane League, said: “We’re glad to see so many supermarkets giving their birds more space, but this is a small first step. We ask supermarkets to stop using Frankenchickens for a reason – it isn’t supposed to be an optional extra. These are birds who grow so big, so fast, their bodies can collapse under their own weight. Until Tesco changes the breed of their birds, millions of animals will remain trapped in unnecessary agony.”
The charity said it was confident that the remaining 2 of the big 6 UK retailers – Aldi and Asda – would reduce or commit to reducing stocking densities by 2025.
Higher welfare standards for the birds
Tesco has said its decision – which takes its stocking levels to 30kg per square metre against the industry standard of 38kg per square metre – represents a major step-up in welfare standards. The move will also ensure the birds will continue to have increased access to environmental enrichment such as straw bales, perches, pecking objects and natural light.
Natalie Smith, head of Sustainable Agriculture and Fisheries at Tesco, said: “We know how much our customers care about animal welfare, and we’re committed to improving standards across our ranges wherever possible. That’s why over the course of the next year, all our core fresh chicken will be grown to higher welfare standards, with 20% more space over the industry standard.
“This move reaffirms our commitment to British agriculture and is a significant step-up in welfare standards for the poultry industry in the UK. Thanks to this move, customers can continue to make better, more sustainable choices while still enjoying the same great value.”
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