REWE Group and the Albert Schweitzer Stiftung für unsere Mitwelt have concluded several months of intensive negotiations on the European Broiler Chicken Initiative. A large number of common goals were identified. Both sides agree that higher minimum standards must be established in the European poultry market. For this reason, even without joining the initiative, REWE Group is committed to both a concrete action plan and to insisting that the demands of the European Broiler Chicken Initiative be implemented in the Animal Welfare Initiative. The company intends to use its influence and actively promote this in the industry.
Hans-Jürgen Moog, Divisional Director Purchasing at REWE Group, commented: "We expressly welcome the European Broiler Chicken Initiative in its endeavours to establish higher minimum standards in the poultry sector in Europe - we are united by this concern. The formulated goals are important guidelines for us to work intensively within the Animal Welfare Initiative as an association of agriculture, the meat industry and the food retail sector in Germany to further develop and expand the animal welfare criteria of the husbandry systems. To this end, we remain in close dialogue with the Albert Schweitzer Foundation.
To achieve ambitious goals, we must all pull together - we want to and will make our contribution with the following measures:
From 2030, farming method 3 will be the minimum standard across REWE Group's entire fresh meat range. This means that we will consider chickens, pigs, turkeys and cattle equally.
We are committed to implementing the requirements of the European Broiler Chicken Initiative within the Animal Welfare Initiative.
We are committed to the long-term and sustainable strengthening of domestic agriculture. In Germany, the construction of new stables for greater animal welfare still encounters massive resistance. The procedures for planning permission drag on for years - if they are approved at all. We are calling on politicians to remove the legal obstacles to the construction of new stables as quickly as possible and to provide the necessary subsidies."
Mahi Klosterhalfen, President and Managing Directors of the Albert Schweitzer Foundation: "I am delighted that we have been able to reach a binding agreement with the REWE Group on essential points. We believe that the Animal Welfare Initiative's husbandry system, which is still incomplete today, must undergo noticeable change in the short term. The exit from husbandry system levels 1 and 2 and the concrete further development of animal welfare criteria within the husbandry system based on the requirements of the European Broiler Chicken Initiative are important steps in this regard."
The Albert Schweitzer Foundation campaigns against factory farming and in favour of a vegan lifestyle. To this end, it uses legal means and influences key players in business and politics to raise animal welfare standards, reduce the consumption of animal products and improve the plant-based food supply.
It offers interested parties well-founded information and shows alternatives. Find out more at https://albert-schweitzer-stiftung.de
