According to The Humane League UK 23 of the ‘Top 40 UK companies’ (57.5%) are now committed to a higher chicken standard, including Apetito Newrest and Interserve. Wilson Vale has a catering operation at Clare Hall, a graduate college of the University of Cambridge.
Annie Evans, European corporate relations coordinator at The Humane League UK, said: “By adopting the European Chicken Commitment [ECC], companies can make an important and meaningful commitment to improving the lives of chickens reared for meat.
“It is fantastic to see so many companies now taking this seriously. We hope that this report will galvanise the rest of the Foodservice sector into taking much-needed action to improve the welfare of chickens.”
According to the Humane Society League UK chickens on intensive farms are bred to produce as much meat muscle in as little time as possible, which can lead to leg weakness and bone problems.
The criteria of the ECC will help to reduce the suffering caused by these intensive conditions.
The report highlights six essential requirements:
- Use breeds with better welfare.
- Comply with EU animal welfare laws.
- Reduce distress at slaughter.
- Implement third-party checks and public reporting.
- Improve air quality, light and enrichment.
- Give birds more space.