IKEA Food Services has developed the Better Chicken Programme, one of a series of schemes targetted at creating more sustainable agriculture for all major animals in its food supply chain.

Through the Better Chicken Programme, IKEA Food aims to ensure broiler chickens are raised in accordance with criteria that promote better welfare such as adequate space (max 30 kg/m2), lighting, enrichment and breeds with improved health outcomes. They work towards responsible use of antibiotics and address key environmental impacts such as deforestation and pollution from manure.

The programme’s criteria are to be implemented in two stages based on feasibility – certain criteria have a 2020 deadline, and final compliance with the Better Chicken Programme is expected by 2025.

Following two years of research and development, I’m delighted we now are sharing the Better Chicken Programme, the first of our sustainable agriculture initiatives for farm animals, which demonstrates our commitment to driving positive change in the food industry.” said Jacqueline Macalister, Health & Sustainability Manager, IKEA Food Services AB.

The IKEA Food Better Programmes are global, developed with input from experts, NGOs and suppliers. The aim is to work towards sourcing of all species – chickens, laying hens, pigs, salmon, beef and dairy cattle – to be compliant by 2025.

Dr Tracey Jones, Director of Food Business at Compassion in World Farming said: “We are delighted to see that IKEA has announced the welfare criteria of its global Better Chicken Programme to include more space, breeds with better welfare outcomes and an enriched environment, as well as additional health and environmental standards for the chickens in its supply across North America, Europe and Asia Pacific.

“IKEA’s programme matches the welfare requirements for chickens agreed by a variety of NGOs in the US and EU and meets the high expectations we have come to expect from IKEA – renowned for its progressive work on sustainability. Incorporating higher animal welfare standards into sustainability programmes is essential for any company that supports humane food production. We praise IKEA for taking this bold step today, and we will continue to work with them to ensure its implementation in all regions.”

Øistein Thorsen, Director of the Food animal initiative (FAI) added: “IKEA Food’s Better Programmes represent holistic and ambitious improvement plans for all species in their food supply chain, designed to promote animal-centred and regenerative farming systems. FAI is proud to have been working alongside IKEA Food the last two years to ensure the programmes are routed in science and agricultural best practice, while also being shaped by key stakeholder’s views. By focusing on the whole challenge we face, we believe this approach can help enable the shift toward a more sustainable food system.