Europe’s fast-food majors failing on poultry welfare progress

Published Nov 20, 2024

Tridge summary

The report 'Pecking Order 2024' by World Animal Protection reveals a disappointing lack of commitment and implementation of the European Chicken Commitment standards by fast-food businesses reliant on the welfare of broiler chickens. Despite 71% of measured companies having broiler welfare policies, only 41% have committed to the European Chicken Commitment standards, with 25% actually implementing them. The report criticizes the slow progress in improving poultry welfare, both from companies and EU policymakers. The report also highlights significant disparities in welfare management across different countries. It emphasizes the urgent need for more robust commitments and actions to meet the 2022 deadline for European Chicken Commitment compliance. The report also suggests that adhering to higher welfare standards can not only improve animal welfare but also boost a company's market growth and financial performance.

Disclaimer:The above summary was generated by Tridge's proprietary AI model for informational purposes.

Original content

Europe is worryingly behind on basic animal welfare commitments, especially the fast-food businesses reliant on the farming of hundreds of millions of broiler chickens yearly. That’s according to charity World Animal Protection’s new Pecking Order 2024 report that measures the commitment and progress food service restaurants make on poultry welfare. Companies measured in the report, among others, included McDonald’s, KFC, Pizza Hut, Starbucks, Ikea and Burger King. While 71% of the businesses measured have policies on broiler welfare, only 41% have committed to the European Chicken Commitment standards, and just a quarter implement the standards. “Overall, progress is still too slow,” said World Animal Protection Netherlands director Dirk Jan Verdonk. Urgency to increase poultry welfare “This highlights the urgency for companies to increase their efforts: time is running out to meet the commitments they made.” The report shows “a lack of adequate progress” across the board, ...

Source: Globalmeatnews