Tesco to improve chicken welfare standards by 2025; all fresh chicken will be grown with 20% more space than industry standard

June 17, 2024 (press release) –

• By first half of 2025, all Tesco fresh chicken will be grown with 20% more space than the industry standard.
• Major improvement in welfare for Tesco core ranges to provide customers with access to affordable, higher welfare chicken.
• Move reinforces retailer’s commitment to UK agriculture and 100% fresh British chicken for its customers.

Tesco has today announced all the fresh chicken in its core ranges will be reared to higher welfare standards, providing customers with access to chicken grown with more space to perch and move around, at the same great value. 

The improvements, which will be completed by the first half of 2025, will see chicken grown at a reduced stocking density, with birds provided with 20% more space than the industry standard, allowing them additional room to express their natural behaviours.

All of Tesco’s fresh chicken is sourced from UK farms, and this improvement in welfare standards builds on Tesco’s ongoing commitment to support British agriculture, as well as reaffirming its partnership approach across its supply chain. The move will see the retailer invest in its existing supply base to help with the transition.

The improvements represent a significant step-up in welfare standards across the industry and builds on Tesco’s existing higher welfare brands, which already include lower stocking densities. The move will also ensure the birds will continue to have increased access to environmental enrichment such as straw bales, perches, pecking objects and natural light. 

As part of the retailer’s commitment to helping customers make better choices without compromising on value or quality, Tesco will continue to offer great value through its Aldi Price Match and Clubcard Prices initiatives, giving customers access to affordable chicken, with improved welfare standards. All Tesco’s fresh chicken can be found on the retailer’s Best of British page, which it launched in April this year. 

Separate to its support in transitioning to higher welfare systems, Tesco has already committed to an additional £12m in financial support for its British chicken farmers and suppliers over the course of 2024/25. 
 
Natalie Smith, Head of Sustainable Agriculture & Fisheries at Tesco said:

“We know how much our customers care about animal welfare, and we’re committed to improving standards across our ranges wherever possible, while maintaining great value and quality for customers. That’s why over the course of the next year, all our core fresh chicken will be grown to higher welfare standards, with over 20% more space than the industry standard. 

“This move reaffirms our commitment to British agriculture and is a significant step-up in welfare standards for the poultry industry in the UK. Thanks to this move, customers can continue to make better, more sustainable choices while still enjoying the same great value.”

Notes to editors:

• The stocking density, the amount of space per bird is calculated per square metre, and will move to 30kg/m2. The change will mean that the birds will have 20% more space provided than the industry standard of 38kg/m2.

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