Conagra has partnered with HSUS to implement higher treatment standards for broiler chickens by 2024
Image: Conagra aims to source 100% humanely treated broiler chickens. Photo: Courtesy of Capri23auto/Pixabay
US-based food company Conagra Brands has announced that itwill implement higher standards for the treatment of broiler chickens across its supply chain sourcing practices.
As part of its latest move, the company has partnered with the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) on the new goals, which will be an expansion of its existing broiler chicken policy.
By 2024, the Chicago-headquartered company aims to achieve improvements in treating broiler chickens. It will achieve the goals by working with its suppliers, peers and other external stakeholders.
Conagra Brands chief supply chain officer Dave Biegger said: “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.
“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.”
Conagra aims to source 100% RSCPA and GAP-approved breeds
Conagra aims to source 100% of chicken used in its products either from Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) or Global Animal Partnership (GAP)-approved breeds or strains.
It has committed to improving environments that meet GAP standards for better lighting, litter quality and other enrichments. It aims to provide the birds with more space to perform natural behaviours such as stocking density of no greater than six pounds per foot and also not to use broiler cages.
It has also committed to employ a multi-step controlled-atmosphere processing system and avoid live-shackling or live-dumping.
Furthermore, it will employ third-party auditing to track supplier compliance.
The Humane Society of the United States farm animal protection vice president Josh Balk said: “The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) applauds Conagra for addressing the most pressing concerns related to chicken meat production.
“We’re enthusiastic about our long relationship with Conagra and look forward to continuing our work together throughout 2019 and beyond.”