When the market leader leads, millions of lives change

Across Switzerland, retailers shape animal welfare outcomes at scale. With the “Chicken Check”, we assess how Swiss retailers measure up to the standards of the European Chicken Commitment (ECC). To date, no Swiss retailer has signed the ECC or committed to higher standards for broiler chickens.

For Migros, the biggest challenge lies in breed selection. As long as the retailer continues to rely on fast-growing breeds, suffering will remain built into the system. The only real solution is to move away from these breeds; and Migros has the power to lead that change.

Send an e-mail now.

With a market share close to 40 percent Migros’ choices echo through the entire supply chain. A recent investigation by the Observatory of Speciesism exposed the horrific conditions on Micarna farms, where fast-growing chickens gain weight so rapidly that they cannot even walk at the end of their short lives. This isn’t about isolated cases on a few farms of particular concern; it’s the legal reality for over 90 percent of chickens in Switzerland.

The public response from previous campaigns shows that a lot of people care about animals, and that they want retailers to care too and to take their responsibility seriously. Signing the European Chicken Commitment (ECC) would be a decisive step to restore the retailer’s credibility and integrity, drive real change, and show that they take their responsibility seriously, especially for Migros. If Migros alone committed to the ECC, up to 40 million chickens would benefit from better welfare every year. This move has the power to shift the entire market and improve the lives of millions of animals.

That’s why we need you. Your voice makes the difference – help us call on retailers to raise their standards for chickens.

Migros: bright spots, but the major problem remains unresolved

Migros performs relatively well on criteria such as stocking density and legal compliance. However, breed selection – which represents the biggest driver of suffering – remains the critical gap. Without switching away from fast-growing strains, other improvements cannot deliver their full welfare impact. Without tackling the core issues, these improvements don’t change the bigger picture. In short: there are bright spots, but the major problem remains unresolved.

Discover the full report on Migros’ compliance with the ECC:

Why the breeds matter

The facts are stark: chickens from fast-growing strains are sentenced to short lives of genetically pre-programmed suffering. These chickens gain weight so rapidly that they can barely stand up by the end of their lives. Many fast-growing chickens develop cardiovascular diseases because their hearts can no longer adequately supply blood to their bodies. Without a decisive shift to slower-growing breeds, better space and enrichments can only do so much. More space is meaningless if they can’t access it.

The path is clear, we are asking Migros to:

• Stop using fast-growing breeds that endure pre-programmed suffering
• Continue applying Swiss animal welfare standards; and maintaining independent auditing
• Start by signing the European Chicken Commitment (ECC); publishing an ECC-aligned roadmap with clear deadlines; committing to meet those deadlines; and releasing an annual public progress report on improvements

A single ECC commitment from Migros could transform the lives of up to 40 million chickens every year. Help us call on retailers to raise their standards for chickens.

Send an e-mail now.