Lidl shoppers were confronted with upsetting photos of chickens as they entered the Bristol city centre branch yesterday (June 29). Protesters stood with placards outside the Union Street supermarket, encouraging customers to sign a petition calling for the supermarket to pledge to higher animal welfare standards.
The protest was staged at 5.30pm by Bristol supporters of animal charity The Humane League UK, who want Lidl to adopt a policy called the Better Chicken Commitment. Hundreds of food outlets including KFC, Nando’s, Greggs and Lidl France have signed up already, agreeing to meet requirements when it comes to their chicken supply chain.
Campaigners say it promotes the use of slower-growing breeds, more space, natural light and enrichment, less painful slaughter methods and third-party auditing. However, Lidl GB has so far not signed up, although it does say it "takes the matter of animal welfare extremely seriously".
