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Tesco has recently announced that 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.
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.
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 and 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.”
