Today (4^th March), Waitrose & Partners signed up to the European Chicken Commitment, as part of the retailer’s continuous improvement plan for animal welfare. By 2026, the retailer’s own-brand fresh and frozen chicken and own-brand products that use chicken as an ingredient, will move to the higher welfare standards as set out in the European Chicken Commitment.

Animal welfare high on the retailer’s agenda

Waitrose & Partners has continually demonstrated its leadership in farm animal welfare. They currently hold 12 Good Farm Animal Welfare Awards, including seven Retailer Awards from Compassion.

Currently Waitrose & Partners provides chickens with more space and a stimulating living environment, and the retailer has now turned its focus on further research to continue to improve chicken welfare, by moving to a more active, robust breed of chicken.

Rupert Thomas, Waitrose & Partners Commercial Director said: “We believe that compassionate farming and good business go hand in hand and that’s why we are especially proud to add our name to the 2026 European Chicken Commitment Pledge”.

Shifting to higher animal welfare standards

Waitrose & Partners joins other leaders in the market (M&S, Unilever, Nestlé, Danone and Elior Group) who have all taken this pledge to improve chicken welfare.

Our Director of Food Business, Tracey Jones, said: “This development highlights Waitrose & Partners culture of continuous improvement in farm animal welfare and has the potential to vastly improve the lives of millions of chickens. We look forward to working with Waitrose to help them deliver on this commitment.”

Find out more about our Good Farm Animal Welfare Awards here.

Waitrose & Partners takes pledge to better chicken welfare