Supporters of The Humane League UK gathered outside Lidl in Oxford to raise awareness about the welfare issues associated with fast-growing chicken breeds, urging the supermarket to adopt better animal welfare practices.
Oxford Protest Targets Lidl’s Use of ‘Frankenchickens’
Oxford, UK – Supporters of The Humane League UK staged a demonstration outside Lidl at Templars Shopping Park to protest against the supermarket’s use of “Frankenchickens”. The demonstration, which took place on a recent day, is part of an ongoing campaign led by the animal charity to raise awareness about the welfare concerns associated with fast-growing breeds of chicken.
“Frankenchickens” is a term used by The Humane League UK to describe chickens bred for rapid growth to meet meat production demands. According to the charity, such fast growth leads to “agonising health conditions” for the birds, significantly impacting their quality of life.
The protesters, led by organiser Frankie Andersen-Wood, were urging shoppers to support their cause by signing a petition. The petition demands that Lidl adopts the Better Chicken Commitment (BCC), an animal welfare policy aimed at improving the living conditions of chickens.
Speaking at the protest, Andersen-Wood commented, “Lidl may have given their birds more space, but they are still selling Frankenchickens. No matter how much space you give these suffering birds, their lives are defined by suffering.” She expressed the need for significant changes in how these birds are treated by large corporations. “We have to take a stand against animal cruelty, and massive profitable companies like Lidl need to do better. Lidl, give birds better lives and stop using Frankenchickens.”
In response to the ongoing criticism, Lidl announced in March that it would implement changes to its chicken welfare standards. The supermarket chain stated that it plans to increase the space allocated to its own-label fresh chickens, a move described as likely to “positively impact the living conditions of the birds”. This transition is set to begin in the summer and is expected to be completed by early 2025.
The Humane League UK’s pressure on Lidl is part of a broader effort in which the charity participates as a member of the Open Wing Alliance (OWA). The OWA is a coalition of more than 90 animal charities from 67 countries, all working towards improving poultry welfare standards globally.
Efforts to obtain further comments from Lidl have not yet yielded a response.
This protest in Oxford is part of an ongoing dialogue on animal welfare and corporate responsibility in the food industry, highlighting the growing concern among consumers and activists about how animals are treated in supply chains.