Published 15/09/2017
Since the launch of the Good Chicken Award in 2010, much has happened:
- Over 99 companies have made commitments to improve the welfare of over 376 million broiler chickens each year.
- An additional 347 million broilers are set to benefit from the commitments of our Special Recognition Awards winners – Knorr (2015) and Whole Foods Market (2016).
- In 2016, our Best Innovation Award winner, Plukon Food Group, was awarded for a new design of commercial broiler shed which incorporates multiple features for improved welfare (including slower growing breeds, functional spaces, a variety of enrichments and natural light) as well as strong sustainability elements.
This is excellent progress but what’s next?
Our ongoing work with the food industry to investigate supply chain solutions and stimulate the market for higher welfare chicken in the US (predominantly to meet the needs of our Special Recognition winners) has led to a revolution in broiler welfare in the US.
In November 2016, nine leading NGO’s in the US (including Compassion) came together and agreed a unified ‘Corporate Ask’ for broiler chicken welfare to which more than 40 US companies have already made public commitments.
European NGO’s, including Compassion, have agreed a similar 'unified ask' for broiler welfare improvement in Europe and Compassion is therefore amending its criteria for the Good Chicken Award to align with the new ASK.
Find out more about the revised Good Chicken Award criteria here.
If you have any questions about the Good Chicken Award, please contact us for advice, or take a look at our Q&A’s here.