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Tesco faces chicken welfare vote Tesco faces chicken welfare vote
(21 minutes later)
Tesco shareholders are being asked to back proposals to improve welfare standards for chickens championed by TV cook Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall.Tesco shareholders are being asked to back proposals to improve welfare standards for chickens championed by TV cook Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall.
The celebrity chef will attend Tesco's annual general meeting in Solihull where investors will be asked to adopt new standards for the rearing of birds.The celebrity chef will attend Tesco's annual general meeting in Solihull where investors will be asked to adopt new standards for the rearing of birds.
Mr Fearnley-Whittingstall and other chefs have highlighted what they say are appalling conditions in some farms.Mr Fearnley-Whittingstall and other chefs have highlighted what they say are appalling conditions in some farms.
But Tesco maintains it sources chickens from farms with high standards.But Tesco maintains it sources chickens from farms with high standards.
The BBC's Sarah Campbell in Solihull said that the TV chef only had the backing of about 12% of shareholder votes, when he needed 75% for the proposal to be approved.
High-profile campaignHigh-profile campaign
Tesco, which accounts for more than a fifth of all intensively reared chickens sold, was criticised earlier this year when it cut the retail price of its standard whole chicken to £1.99.Tesco, which accounts for more than a fifth of all intensively reared chickens sold, was criticised earlier this year when it cut the retail price of its standard whole chicken to £1.99.
Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall explains his campaignHugh Fearnley-Whittingstall explains his campaign
Mr Fearnley-Whittingstall, star of Back to River Cottage and other food shows and a Tesco shareholder, has highlighted the plight of chickens in many intensive indoor battery farms.Mr Fearnley-Whittingstall, star of Back to River Cottage and other food shows and a Tesco shareholder, has highlighted the plight of chickens in many intensive indoor battery farms.
He and other celebrity chefs argue that conditions in such farms are unacceptable and that supermarkets are partly to blame for this for by selling chickens too cheaply.He and other celebrity chefs argue that conditions in such farms are unacceptable and that supermarkets are partly to blame for this for by selling chickens too cheaply.
He is urging shareholders to support the motion at a vote on Friday, which would require Tesco to adopt higher minimum standards for chickens it purchases.He is urging shareholders to support the motion at a vote on Friday, which would require Tesco to adopt higher minimum standards for chickens it purchases.
If backed by shareholders, Tesco would have to adopt the RSPCA's freedom farm standards on how birds are fed, exercised and transported by a certain date.If backed by shareholders, Tesco would have to adopt the RSPCA's freedom farm standards on how birds are fed, exercised and transported by a certain date.
Farms approved by the RSPCA for meeting "higher welfare" standards are able to carry the freedom farm logo on their products.Farms approved by the RSPCA for meeting "higher welfare" standards are able to carry the freedom farm logo on their products.
Critics have claimed the plans will force up the price of chickens at a time and that this would be unpopular with families already facing much higher shopping bills. Tesco says it has adopted such standards on a growing number of its farms - but that to do so universally right now would force up the price of chickens and that this would be unpopular with families already facing much higher shopping bills.
FREEDOM FOOD REQUIREMENTS FOR CHICKEN FARMS Bright lighting to help exerciseDark area to encourage rest25% more space than industry standard to increase activityObjects to peck at such as footballs or wooden perchesOnly rear genetically slower-growing breeds Source: RSPCAFREEDOM FOOD REQUIREMENTS FOR CHICKEN FARMS Bright lighting to help exerciseDark area to encourage rest25% more space than industry standard to increase activityObjects to peck at such as footballs or wooden perchesOnly rear genetically slower-growing breeds Source: RSPCA
But Mr Fearnley-Whittingstall said this was simply not true and that by making such changes, Tesco could make its poultry business more profitable.But Mr Fearnley-Whittingstall said this was simply not true and that by making such changes, Tesco could make its poultry business more profitable.
"We believe that if Tesco does not make these changes, it will begin to lose its share of the poultry market," he said in comments released ahead of the meeting."We believe that if Tesco does not make these changes, it will begin to lose its share of the poultry market," he said in comments released ahead of the meeting.
He said Tesco was "manifestly" not living up to its stated animal welfare principles.He said Tesco was "manifestly" not living up to its stated animal welfare principles.
"But in the end, it is the moral dimension, not a business argument, that makes this the right thing to do."But in the end, it is the moral dimension, not a business argument, that makes this the right thing to do.
"You can't budget your way out of an ethical issue... The gap between what Tesco says and what it does must be closed.""You can't budget your way out of an ethical issue... The gap between what Tesco says and what it does must be closed."
'High standards''High standards'
Tesco demands "high standards" of animal welfare from its suppliers, it says, with all farmers having to meet its code of practice on acceptable standards. Tesco demands "high standards" of animal welfare from its suppliers, it says, with all farmers having to meet its code of practice on standards as well as general industry regulations.
"We employ a dedicated team of agricultural specialists to ensure that farmed animals are reared for Tesco in a humane and compassionate manner," it says on its website."We employ a dedicated team of agricultural specialists to ensure that farmed animals are reared for Tesco in a humane and compassionate manner," it says on its website.
Tesco bosses will be pressed on a range of issuesTesco bosses will be pressed on a range of issues
"We ensure that our standards are met by using our internal team of agricultural experts and independent auditors, who carry out third party inspections.""We ensure that our standards are met by using our internal team of agricultural experts and independent auditors, who carry out third party inspections."
Corporate governance firm PIRC, which is backing Mr Fearnley-Whittingstall's resolution, said it did not expect to win the vote but that it would raise awareness of the issue.Corporate governance firm PIRC, which is backing Mr Fearnley-Whittingstall's resolution, said it did not expect to win the vote but that it would raise awareness of the issue.
Higher standards would create a "more enriched environment" for chickens and would ultimately be healthier for customers, it added.Higher standards would create a "more enriched environment" for chickens and would ultimately be healthier for customers, it added.
Tesco is facing a raft of other shareholder resolutions, most of which are likely to be defeated as powerful institutional investors line up behind up the firm's management.Tesco is facing a raft of other shareholder resolutions, most of which are likely to be defeated as powerful institutional investors line up behind up the firm's management.
Tesco said it could not release details of the resolutions before the meeting started.Tesco said it could not release details of the resolutions before the meeting started.
Issues likely to be brought up range from calls for union recognition at its new US stores to allegations of low pay for workers employed by global suppliers, particularly in India.Issues likely to be brought up range from calls for union recognition at its new US stores to allegations of low pay for workers employed by global suppliers, particularly in India.