The Better Chicken Commitment is transforming broiler welfare standards across the UK food industry. Understanding its requirements helps consumers make informed choices.
Broiler chicken welfare is the single largest farm animal welfare issue by number of individuals affected. The modern fast-growing broiler breed has been selected to grow so rapidly that its body cannot support its own weight - the result is chronic lameness, cardiovascular problems, and a short life of constant discomfort. The Better Chicken Commitment addresses this by requiring slower-growing breeds, more space, and better environments. Consumer purchasing of BCC-committed products - labelled RSPCA Assured or from committed retailers - creates the market signal that drives supply chain change. Given the scale of broiler production, even modest welfare improvements per bird represent an enormous aggregate reduction in suffering.