Compassion is delighted to announce that the third largest French retailer Intermarché Group (who owns Intermarché and Netto stores) has signed up to the European Chicken Commitment. They have pledged to meet the higher welfare requirements for all their own-brand products (containing more than 50% chicken) by 2026.

They join a growing list of companies across Europe that have committed to improving the living conditions and slaughter practices for meat chickens, and are the second retailer in France to sign up, following Monoprix’s commitment in June.

WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP

Compassion has been working closely with Intermarché since 2017 on their animal welfare policy, with a particular focus on the well-being of broiler chickens, bringing together expertise from various NGOs, researchers and technical institutes (ITAVI and ISA Lille).

With technical support from Compassion and other members of the working group, Intermarché were able to build ambitious progress plans and publicise their chicken commitment this week – one which will benefit millions of chickens every year and meet the growing consumer demand for higher welfare products.

Amélie Legrand, Compassion’s Senior European Food Business Manager, France said: "We've been working closely with Intermarché for the past two years and are delighted to see their hard work come to fruition with this strong public commitment for better broiler welfare.

“I wholeheartedly congratulate them for this move and look forward to our continued collaboration to ensure the effective implementation of this pledge and a better future for all chickens in France.”

Join the move for better chicken

M&S and Waitrose have already pledged to introduce the new welfare requirements for broiler chickens, alongside other leading brands, including KFC, Nestlé, Danone and Unilever.

However, making better chicken a commercial reality will require cross-industry collaboration to explore supply chain solutions for higher welfare chicken. It requires the whole industry to work together to set goals for farms and suppliers to help transform chicken’s lives for the better.

This latest commitment from a leading French retailer is a clear indication that the market is ready to move and that now is the time for other retailers and brands to join the broiler revolution.

More good news for broiler chickens in France!