UK discounter Aldi has announced that it is set to introduce new stocking density requirements for its fresh chicken suppliers, which it said would “further improve the quality of life for livestock”.
The transition to the higher welfare standard, which Aldi said will be complete by the end of October 2024, means that Aldi fresh chicken will have 20% more space than the industry standard.
Aldi said that this would give each animal “more space to engage in natural behaviours including stretching wings, dust bathing and roaming”. It will also ensure the birds “continue to have increased access to environmental enrichment” such as straw bales, perches, pecking objects and natural light.
Julie Ashfield, managing director of buying at Aldi UK, said: “Animal welfare is of paramount importance to us. We’re already one of the UK’s largest providers of responsibly farmed chicken and we’ve been working hard with our suppliers to reduce stocking density to help us improve the living conditions of these animals even further.
“Thanks to this latest improvement, customers will be provided with access to higher welfare chicken at the same great value that can’t be matched.”
This comes as retailer Tesco promised to rear its chickens using 20% more space than the industry standard, with Morrisons stating that it would do the same by November 2024.
