RSPCA appeals to retailers for higher chicken welfare standards

The RSPCA is calling for food retailers to sell higher welfare chickens only, by 2010. The campaign, which started today has included open adverts aimed at retailers in various national papers, asking them to consider the quality of the meat they source. The campaign starts the day after the first programme in Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s series “Hugh’s Chicken Run” was aired on Channel 4. The hard-hitting series takes a serious look at the impact of intensive chicken farming on animal welfare. The three-part series continues on Channel 4 tonight and tomorrow (8th & 9th January 2008), at 9pm.

Jamie Oliver and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall are both raising awareness of chickens’ welfare conditions in television programmes in the New Year. To make a difference to the welfare of chickens, vote with your wallet and buy chicken that bears either the RSPCA Freedom Food stamp, or labels such as ‘free range’ and ‘organic’.

The RSPCA has challenged all supermarkets to become the first to pledge to only sell 100% welfare-friendly chicken by 2010. To sign the petititon, visit: http://www.supportchickennow.co.uk/petition/index.html

The official RSPCA website for chicken welfare is:
http://www.supportchickennow.co.uk/