The investigation by Open Cages, an animal welfare campaign group, has revealed shocking footage of malformed, injured, and filthy chickens at three farms in Lincolnshire that supply The Co-operative supermarket. The footage, taken between August and November last year, shows birds with deformities, visibly untreated wounds, and even near-death in some cases. Some chickens are unable to eat or drink, while others are seen being emptied into bins, loaded with corpses.
The group’s chief executive and co-founder, Connor Jackson, has severely criticized The Co-operative, accusing the supermarket of deceiving its customers with a “carefully polished, ‘ethical’ image,” while reality is much harsher. Jackson claims that the chickens are “Frankenchickens,” bred to grow fast to meet demand, but at the cost of their welfare. He argues that these birds cannot lead “any sort of decent life” due to their rapid growth rate.
Red Tractor Assurance Scheme, which inspects food standards, has reviewed the footage and found no evidence of animal welfare concerns. The Co-operative and the farms’ owner, 2Sisters Food Group, have also claimed that the farms have been recently inspected and found compliant with Red Tractor core standards.
Malformed Chickens Exposed in Supermarket Supply
However, Open Cages is not convinced, and its criticism has sparked a larger debate about the welfare of chickens in the supermarket supply chain. The Co-operative’s annual general meeting (AGM) in May saw a motion passed, calling for improvements to animal welfare standards, including reducing stock density and adopting a slower-growing breed. The supermarket has committed to improving stock density, but has not yet adopted the slower-growing breed, citing concerns over cost.
The issue has also highlighted the controversy surrounding the Co-operative’s commitment to British farming. While the supermarket touts its support for British farming, critics argue that this commitment comes at the expense of animal welfare. A spokesperson for The Co-operative has maintained that the supermarket’s priority is animal welfare, and that all its fresh chicken meets or exceeds Red Tractor or RSPCA Assured standards.
Despite the controversy, the Co-operative remains committed to its supply chain, which has been criticized for its treatment of animals. The investigation highlights the need for greater transparency and scrutiny in the supermarket’s supply chain to ensure that animal welfare standards are upheld. With millions of members and customers loyal to the supermarket, it is essential that The Co-operative takes concrete steps to address the concerns raised by Open Cages and other animal welfare organizations.
