The distributor Lidl France assures Friday wanting to sell chicken produced in better conditions, matching its commitment with flats that make the animal defense association L214 tick. In a press release, the brand “ announces that it will give itself all the means to fulfill the criteria ” of the European Chicken Commitment (ECC), specifications defended by around thirty animal protection NGOs, including L214, to improve standards of breeding and slaughter of the poultry sector.
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Among the criteria: fewer animals per m2, the cessation of the use of fast-growing chicken strains, the entry of natural light into livestock buildings, the installation of perches ... Lidl thus fits the step to the groups Casino, Les Mousquetaires (Intermarché, Netto), Auchan, Système U or Carrefour, which had already committed themselves to respect by 2026 the ECC for the products marketed under their private label (MDD) containing more than 50% chicken.
However, the brand has reservations. It states, " after consulting with suppliers and partner producers ", that two objectives are difficult to achieve by the French poultry sector by 2026: reducing the density in buildings and stopping the use of growing chickens quick. " Of course animal welfare is today more than essential in our eyes ", declared to AFP Michel Biero, executive director of purchases and marketing Lidl France. " But I want to warn very, very strongly about the economic risks for the French poultry sector ," he continues, stressing that the brand is also committed to "the welfare of the breeder ".
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He calls on " all stakeholders " - farmers, processors, distributors but also NGOs - " to discuss these subjects " so that the decision does not apply " unilaterally " to producers. " We could put a lot of things in place, create a fund together " to help farmers meet the necessary investments, he suggests.
The distributor's communication " does not meet the minimum measures expected by a majority of citizens and that we have been carrying with Lidl for more than a year ", reacted L214 in a press release. For the antispecies association, the brand was " probably informed " that it would be targeted on Tuesday by an " unflattering " campaign and is trying to " dodge " it by publishing a " discount commitment ".
