Morrisons is set to make further significant improvements to its own-brand chicken welfare standards in its farms.
New changes will include raising fresh chicken at a lower stocking density by the end of the year, and also giving the animals 20% more space than the industry standard.
The new changes follow in the wake of the supermarket giant reducing its chicken stocking density steadily over a number of years.
All of Morrisons’ fresh chickens are raised above Red Tractor standards, which ensures British food and drink products meet rigorous standards, from farms to pack.
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Currently, Morrisons is the only retailer in Europe to ask their fresh chicken suppliers for their chickens to be born into the barn in which they are raised – avoiding handling and transport.
Morrisons technical and sustainability director Sophie Throup said: “As British farming’s biggest direct supermarket customer, we care deeply about how our animals are grown and we are always looking at ways with our suppliers to improve standards.
“That is why by the end of the year we will have lowered our stocking density, giving chickens more space as they grow. The changes we intend to make across all of our own-brand fresh chicken will allow customers to make more positive choices when it comes to the products they purchase as we continue our journey to improve welfare standards.”
The new changes follow a series of controversies surrounding Morrisons chicken welfare standards, with the grocer being called out by activists in recent years for its use of “FrankenChickens”.
