More chickens are farmed for meat each year in New Zealand than any other land animal (120 million vs. 27 million for sheep, the next most common species).

Around the world, the same few conventional breeds have been used for chicken production. The welfare problems of these fast-growing meat chickens are well documented – for example:

• A survey conducted for the Ministry for Primary Industries found that 30% of chickens were lame to the extent that it affected their movement.
• The National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee has stated that they have “concerns that the meat chicken has been selectively bred beyond a point that is compatible with survivability.”
• A large trial commissioned by RSPCA England & Wales found that the genetics of conventional breeds “fail to adequately safeguard their welfare to such an extent that many birds of these breeds could be considered as having a life not worth living.”

The suffering of chickens farmed for meat may be the single biggest animal welfare issue today, based on both the scale of the problem and the degree of suffering experienced.

The good news is that a large and growing body of scientific literature shows welfare benefits associated with breeds that grow more slowly. While these slower-growing breeds are in use overseas, unfortunately, local producers have only two main fast-growing breeds available to choose from here in New Zealand - which are linked to poor welfare outcomes.

One way that SPCA works to create a transition to slower-growing breeds of chicken is through encouraging food businesses to implement the Better Chicken Commitment (BCC).

The BCC is a set of evidence-based standards that aim to improve the lives of chickens farmed for meat. It includes requirements that chickens are provided with natural lighting, more space per bird, enrichment and platforms for perching/resting. Crucially: slower-growing breeds must be used.

New Zealand companies like SPCA’s long-term supporter The Coffee Club have signed the BCC. Others include My Food Bag, Hello Fresh, Dominos, Bird on a Wire, Swole Foods, Columbus Coffee and Mexico. SPCA works across the supply chain to help them implement the BCC. In 2022, SPCA formed a Working Group to bring together companies who are committed to better chicken in New Zealand.

In 2022, the Aotearoa New Zealand Better Chicken Commitment Working Group (Working Group) was formed to bring like-minded companies together to understand common challenges across supply chains and explore supply chain solutions to drive successful implementation of the Australia–New Zealand Better Chicken Commitment (BCC). Gradual implementation of the BCC will build confidence for those members who have signed up or who are about to sign up and build confidence in decision making for those that have yet to do so.

The Working Group has been established and is managed by SPCA New Zealand. Compassion in World Farming (CIWF) is joining as a partner, bringing in global knowledge and expertise on the BCC to help move the industry forward to meeting higher animal welfare standards. The Working Group now includes 14 companies committed to shifting the industry forward to align with higher welfare standards for meat chickens.

• To take proactive steps to work towards higher welfare chicken production in Aotearoa New Zealand:
  • Positively promote and communicate membership in the Working Group to consumers and other stakeholders.
  • Positively promote and communicate the BCC to consumers and other stakeholders.
  • Encourage processors and intermediary companies to be members of the Working Group to help facilitate them meeting the BCC requirements.
  • Publicly commit to the Australia–New Zealand Better Chicken Commitment (AU-NZ BCC)*

• Attend Working Group meetings.
• Businesses with existing commitments are expected to:
  • Work directly with CIWF on their roadmap to achieve the BCC, and to publish by March 2026** a transition timeline that details the clear, informed milestones and demonstrates meaningful annual progress in the BCC criteria until 100% compliant***.
  • Publish annual reporting that demonstrates meaningful progress towards implementation of the BCC criteria.

Current Working Group members have until the end of 2025 to make meaningful progress on the expected membership terms listed above before their membership in the Working Group will be reviewed by SPCA and CIWF. Companies with the intention of making a BCC commitment can be Working Group members, however:

• They must actively contribute to furthering progress towards the BCC in Aotearoa New Zealand through terms 1(a) – (c) until they publish a commitment.
• They must make a BCC commitment within 2 years of the Working Group restarting (defined as the date of the first Working Group meeting to be scheduled in 2025). New companies joining the Working Group must make a BCC commitment within 2 years from the date of joining. While we understand the current challenges in Aotearoa New Zealand, commitments are vital for demonstrating the demand for higher welfare chicken, and with negotiable deadlines at criteria level, we are confident this is reasonable for Working Group members.