Nandos KFC and Other Chains Ditch Commitment to Slow Growing Chickens

Recent developments have emerged regarding the poultry industry, as several prominent restaurant chains have opted to abandon their commitments to sourcing slow-growing chicken breeds. Brands such as Nando’s, KFC, Wagamama, and Burger King, previously aligned with the Better Chicken Commitment, have announced their decision to resume the rearing of fast-growing chicken breeds, despite the welfare concerns associated with these animals.

The shift was spearheaded by Nando’s, which cited the inability to meet the commitment to slow-growing breeds due to a lack of supply from UK farmers. The company expressed that the current agricultural framework could not support this transition without significantly increasing their carbon footprint. This decision has ignited considerable backlash from animal welfare advocates and environmental campaigners, who argue that the prioritisation of profit over welfare contradicts the aims of sustainability.

This controversy has highlighted the dichotomy within the industry, where commitments to animal welfare are increasingly seen as incompatible with profit margins. A growing number of farmers have raised concerns about the economic pressures they are under, compounded by rising feed costs, which constitute a substantial portion of production expenses.

Recent statistics from the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers reveal that the average price of chicken breasts has surged from £4.75 per kilogram to £7.95 over the last five years. Such increases follow a myriad of external pressures, including geopolitical events affecting feed supply and the prevalence of bird flu, which has compelled farmers to cull millions of chickens to manage outbreaks.

Moreover, the challenges associated with slower-growing breeds are substantial. These birds require greater amounts of feed, land, and water, leading to increased greenhouse gas emissions. Consequently, balancing price, welfare, and sustainability has become an intricate task for the industry.

Despite the recent departures from slow-growing commitments, some brands, including Marks and Spencer and Waitrose, continue to support slower-growing breeds, maintaining that it is possible to align consumer demand with ethical standards related to animal welfare. As public awareness of these issues increases, it remains to be seen how the poultry industry will respond to growing calls for change.