Conagra Brands commits to GAP broiler standards

Conagra Brands has committed to what it refers to as “higher standards for welfare of broiler chickens.”

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Conagra Brands has collaborated with the Humane Society of the United States for the development of new broiler welfare standards for the chicken the company sources. (Jonathan Weiss | Bigstock)
Conagra Brands has collaborated with the Humane Society of the United States for the development of new broiler welfare standards for the chicken the company sources. (Jonathan Weiss | Bigstock)

Conagra Brands has committed to what it refers to as “higher standards for welfare of broiler chickens,” the company announced on August 27.

The company said it will work with its “suppliers, peers and other external stakeholders” in an effort to make the following changes to its broiler supply by 2024.

  • Source 100% of chicken used in products from either Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) or Global Animal Partnership (GAP)-approved breeds or strains.
  • Offer improved environments that meet GAP standards for better lighting, litter quality and other enrichments.
  • Provide birds with more space to perform natural behaviors, including a stocking density of no greater than six pounds per square foot and no use of broiler cages.
  • Employ a multi-step controlled atmosphere processing system and avoid live-shackling or live-dumping.
  • Track supplier compliance via third-party auditing.

In a press release issued on August 27, Conagra said it collaborated with the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) to establish the new policy.

"Conagra Brands is committed to the humane treatment of animals and our belief is that creating quality food for our consumers is more than just putting ingredients together, it also includes how we source those ingredients," Dave Biegger, chief supply chain officer, Conagra Brands, said in the release. "We're proud to work with the Humane Society of the United States as well as others in the food industry to take meaningful steps towards positive change in broiler chicken welfare practices."

"We recognize that our 2024 goals require industry-wide partnership to succeed and we will collaborate across our value chain to further animal welfare while preserving consumer access to quality, affordable food."

Josh Balk, vice president of farm animal protection at the Humane Society of the United States, added: "We're enthusiastic about our long relationship with Conagra and look forward to continuing our work together throughout 2019 and beyond."

Conagra’s commitment comes after a period of relative slowdown in companies signing pledges to source GAP or RSPCA approved standards. According to a commitment tracker brought to WATT Global Media’s attention by HSUS, the only other companies to make commitments in August were Honeygrow and Union Square Hospitality Group.

Conagra, a diversified food company, is a former broiler producer. The company’s chicken division was acquired by Pilgrim’s Pride in 2004.

Conagra was among the plaintiff companies to file a July lawsuit against the top poultry companies in the United States, accusing them of conspiring in an effort to drive up the price of chicken.

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