Welfare Dispute Emerges Over Chicken Standards
RSPCA Challenges Major Food Chains Over Chicken Welfare Shift
The RSPCA has criticised a group of major fast-food brands for stepping back from previously stated commitments on higher chicken welfare standards.
According to reporting by Farming Online, 18 companies — including KFC, Burger King and Nando’s — have withdrawn from the Better Chicken Commitment (BCC), a framework aimed at improving broiler welfare. The BCC includes measures such as moving away from fast-growing breeds. In addition, it aims at enhancing environmental standards in poultry production.
The companies are reported to have introduced an alternative scheme with different welfare criteria. This has prompted concern from the RSPCA, which argues the revised approach falls short of the original commitments.
The Better Chicken Commitment has been widely adopted across parts of the UK and European retail. It has also been adopted by foodservice sectors and has been seen as a benchmark for higher welfare broiler production.
Source: Farming Online | 23 February 2026
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