The RSPCA says it is celebrating the news that the supermarket chain Waitrose has become the latest company to commit to a significant improvement in meat chicken welfare.
The organisation point out that more meat chickens are reared each year in the UK than any other land animal (over one billion). The RSPCA claim that in its view a vast majority are kept in “conditions which are unacceptable and puts them at risk of suffering.”
Waitrose now joins Marks & Spencer, Nestlé and Knorr who have also signed up to the Better Chicken Commitment, pledging to meet a number of key requirements to improve the welfare of meat chickens across their entire supply, meaning that even the cheapest chicken products will have been raised to higher standards.
The initiative has sparked recent consumer media coverage following the launch of a campaign by the RSPCA, which revealed shoppers expect supermarkets to ensure higher animal welfare.
The requirements for the commitment have been drawn up by a partnership of animal protection groups, including the RSPCA - and now the RSPCA is urging other supermarkets to follow suit and commit to raising welfare standards across their supply chain of chicken by 2026.
Kate Parkes, chicken welfare specialist at the RSPCA said: “This move by Waitrose is another great step for meat chickens and consumers. We are really pleased that now two of the country’s best known supermarkets have jumped on board with this very important initiative, and we are hopeful that it will give their competitors the wake-up call they need to realise that animal welfare cannot go on being ignored.
“More meat chickens are produced than any other terrestrial farm animal in the UK, with over 1 billion reared each year.
“But despite this rapidly growing demand, there has been little progress made in improving the welfare of the majority of chickens bred for their meat, especially in key areas related to welfare. Fast growing breeds still dominate the market; rapid growth can contribute to painful conditions such as severe lameness and heart defects.
“Though some supermarkets may offer a high welfare option, this commitment is calling on them to raise the welfare of chickens across their supply. Of course, we would like to see all supermarkets adopt RSPCA standards, but the Better Chicken Commitment is great step in the right direction for animal welfare.”
RSPCA says that its polling shows that more than 8 out of 10 people (86%) who buy chicken meat expect supermarkets to ensure that all chicken meat they sell is farmed to higher welfare standards.
This story was originally published on a previous version of the Meat Management website and so there may be some missing images and formatting issues.
