Holly Spindler
KFC becomes first in its sector to commit to the European Chicken Commitment.
In a landmark decision, KFC has pledged to improve the welfare of the chickens in its supply chain by committing to the European Chicken Commitment.
The fast food company has announced it will adhere to the criteria by 2026 in the UK, Ireland, Belgium, Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands.
The announcement by KFC follows encouragement from multiple animal protection organisations working tirelessly to improve the lives of chickens. While The Humane League worked with KFC to produce its new policy, World Animal Protection has been campaigning against the fast food giant on this issue since 2017, leading a petition gathering over half a million signatures. Compassion in World Farming has engaged with KFC on farm animal welfare for several years.
What is the European Chicken Commitment?
The European Chicken Commitment, otherwise known as the Better Chicken Commitment, sets out specific welfare standards for companies to meet.
These criteria ensure more space and enrichment for chickens, as well as banning the use of breeds engineered to grow abnormally fast and big. The commitment also requires independent audits, vital given recent news around shocking conditions on UK farms.
What does this mean?
We cannot overestimate the impact this will make. A huge 95% of broiler chickens are raised on intensive factory farms and the breeds of chicken used for meat have been bred to grow so fast and large that they are often unable to stand or breathe properly. This inhumane treatment is purely driven by desire to increase profit.
With over 900 stores, the UK is KFC's biggest European market and we estimate this commitment will improve the lives of 72 million chickens every year across the UK, Ireland, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Sweden.
Whilst other forward-thinking companies such as Waitrose, wagamama and Marks and Spencer have committed to the European Chicken Commitment, KFC is leading the way in the fast food sector. With this decision they set a route for others to follow. We believe this is truly a landmark decision that will improve the lives of countless chickens in the future.
