M&S meets Better Chicken Commitment for fresh chicken

This means that M&S now only raises slower-growing breeds of chicken for their fresh chicken lines, ditching the use of fast-growing Frankenchickens who grow so quickly that their legs can’t support the weight of their own bodies.

Not only that, but chickens raised to BCC standards are also given more space and enrichment.

As a result of this change, millions of chickens will have a better quality of life. Research by the Welfare Footprint Project has found that chickens reared to BCC standards experience one-third of the severe pain that non-BCC chickens do. Slower-growing chickens are also less susceptible to conditions such as white striping disease and wooden breast syndrome and are more resistant to heat stress, which is becoming increasingly important as heatwaves become more common.

Other UK supermarkets are failing chickens

M&S is leading the way among UK supermarkets in signing up to the BCC and ditching Frankenchickens. Among other UK supermarkets, Waitrose is the only one to have signed up to the BCC. This means that major supermarkets including Morrisons, Tesco, Lidl, and Co-op are failing chickens and consumers by refusing to end their cruel use of millions of fast-growing chickens who can barely walk.

Hundreds of companies have now signed up to the BCC, including KFC, Greggs, Kraft-Heinz, Nestlé, and Compass Group. Earlier this year, the Government announced that it would provide financial support to help farmers transition to the BCC, identifying it as a priority. However, until UK supermarkets do the right thing and commit to the standard, millions of chickens will continue to suffer cruelly and unnecessarily.

This latest success for the BCC and chickens is a result of the relentless work of our supporters up and down the country. Together, we have raised awareness of chicken welfare and challenged companies to take action. As we continue to fight for the animals, your support is valued more than ever.