Lidl is set to improve its chicken welfare standards by increasing space allocating to its own-label fresh chicken by 20% above current industry standards.
The new commitment, which is due to start this summer and be completed by 2025, will see the maximum stocking density reduced to 30kg/sqm, in an attempt to positively impact living conditions of the birds.
Lidl claims the new increased space will allow chickens more space to roam and “roam enables them to engage in natural behaviours”, such as stretching their wings, and encourages “psychological well-being, leading to more fulfilling lives”.
Lidl GB chief commercial officer Richard Bourns said: “Animal welfare is a priority for us, and we are dedicated to ensuring all animals within our supply chain lead good lives. This initiative is a testament to our strong supplier relationships and underscores our continued commitment to championing British food and farming.
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“We’re devoted to working with our partners throughout the supply chain to influence positive change. Through ongoing engagement and longer term agreements, we’re able to provide them with the confidence needed to make the necessary investments that will help move the dial on animal welfare.
“This approach ensures our customers can count on us to deliver improved animal welfare standards, as we continue to offer them quality produce at market leading prices.”
Lidl’s latest pledge follows animal welfare campaign group Open Cages’ investigation that revealed millions of supermarket chickens showed excrement burns, known as hock marks.
Despite not submitting data, Lidl was the subject of the campaign group’s store spot checks, where volunteers found that 74% of the chickens they checked had hock burn ulcers.
Lidl maintained it took “animal welfare extremely seriously” and added that the “figures provided by Open Cages strongly conflict with our own data, which is lower than industry figures publicly available”.
It added that, while it has not committed to chicken welfare standards Better Chicken Commitment for its entire range, all fresh chicken supplied to Lidl GB complies with other third-party standards, including Red Tractor Assured and RSPCA certification
