MP slams Tesco on chicken welfare

12.19.53pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 29th Aug 2008

Tesco's refusal to improve standards in chicken rearing has been attacked by local MP Andrew Stunell.

His criticism came after Tesco's shareholders voted down a plan to upgrade Tesco's animal welfare standards to RSPCA recommendations. The decision was taken by a huge majority at the supermarket's annual meeting.

Mr. Stunell said he was extremely disappointed by Tesco's decision. The Hazel Grove MP also said that he fully supported the actions taken by TV Chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall in his campaign to improve animal treatment.

The campaign would raise the minimum requirement for the housing of chickens to the RSPCA's 'Freedom Food' standards, which would ensure more space, light and an improved quality of life for chickens bred for food.

Commenting, Mr. Stunell said:

"It is unacceptable that birds are being kept in conditions which do not match RSPCA guidelines.

"Tesco has missed a great opportunity to improve their animal welfare standards - I am very disappointed.

"I'd like to see Tesco, and all supermarkets, meet the RSPCA's conditions voluntarily. But if they won't, the law should force them to do it. Poor standards of treatment not only affect the welfare of the birds but also reduce the quality of the meat that is being sold to customers.

"People deserve to know their food is of good quality and is ethically produced. It is only by following the procedures and guidelines set out by the RSPCA that this is possible."

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1 Andrew Stunell has backed action in Parliament, and is a signatory of the following motion:

That this House deplores the action of institutional shareholders of Tesco plc in voting against a resolution to ensure that chicken rearing standards are improved; congratulates TV cook Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall for his campaign which sought to persuade Britain's largest food retailer to upgrade its minimum conditions to the RSPCA's `Freedom Food' marque; urges all other food retailers to adopt these minimum conditions and inform customers that they have done so; urges people in the meantime to boycott the purchase of chickens at Tesco stores; and calls on the Government to make it a requirement for all those involved in chicken rearing to meet the RSPCA's minimum conditions.