// Thousands of Co-op members vote to adopt the Better Chicken Commitment (BCC) to improve the welfare of chickens reared for meat
// However, over fears of rising prices, the retailer will continue to sell ‘Frankenchickens’
Thousands of Co-op members have voted to improve the welfare of chickens reared for meat at the retailer’s annual general meeting on Saturday.
However, the motion was partially overruled by the mutual’s directors, who want to keep prices down.
Around 96% of members supported the motion led by campaign group Humane League UK for the supermarket chain to adopt the Better Chicken Commitment (BCC), joining M&S and Waitrose in the pledge.
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Despite the majority vote, the board refused to stop selling fast growing ‘Frankenchickens’ due to price fears but agreed to provide more space for the chickens as per BCC requirements.
Senior Campaigner at The Humane League UK, and member of The Co-op, Aaron Parr said: “Co-op members have overwhelmingly voted to help chickens.
“It is inspirational that tens of thousands of members across the country have decided that the cruel use and abuse of Frankenchickens is outright wrong.
“But the Co-op leadership has betrayed its ethical and democratic values by clinging on to using Frankenchickens.
“The Co-op exists for its members – their democratic will must not be ignored by those at the top.”
In a response to the motion posted on its website, the supermarket chain said that its free-range chicken already met the BCC standards and that its core chicken ranges met commitments on compliance with legislation and environment enrichment.
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