Recent undercover footage highlights significant welfare issues at Co-op’s chicken farms.
- The footage reveals chickens in severe distress, facing health and welfare challenges.
- Open Cages, an animal protection charity, recorded these conditions from August to November.
- Campaigners urge Co-op to adopt the Better Chicken Commitment for improved welfare standards.
- Co-op responds by committing to increased living space but continues to sell fast-growing breeds.
Recent footage has brought to light severe welfare concerns at chicken farms supplying the Co-op, captured by hidden cameras. The revelations, as reported by The Independent, show chickens “collapsing in agony” while suffering from deformities and high mortality rates. Workers were observed discarding a significant number of dead birds, depicting a grim scenario within these facilities.
Open Cages, an animal protection charity, captured these conditions over several months. They documented the farms breeding chickens, referred to as ‘Frankenchickens’, known for their rapid growth resulting in numerous health issues. These birds often endure heart attacks, organ failures, and other physical deformities due to their unnaturally accelerated development.
There is a call for Co-op to implement the Better Chicken Commitment, a policy designed to enhance animal welfare. This initiative proposes the replacement of fast-growing chicken breeds with slower, healthier ones, alongside providing more space, natural light, and environmental enrichments. Despite support from 96% of Co-op members, the board has chosen not to fully adopt these measures while striving to maintain affordable prices.
In response to the demands for improved welfare, Co-op has pledged to reduce chicken stocking density. A spokesperson for the retailer confirmed a commitment to offering chickens 20% more space, aligning with part of the Better Chicken Commitment standards. They highlighted the retailer’s compliance with existing quality standards, emphasising their commitment to British farming and quality produce.
Despite these promises, Co-op continues to sell the problematic fast-growing chicken breeds. The tension between ensuring animal welfare and keeping consumer prices low remains a key challenge in the poultry supply chain, as the discussion around ethical sourcing practices grows more complex.
The ongoing debate over animal welfare practices at Co-op’s chicken farms underscores the complexities in balancing ethical concerns with economic pressures.
