This week, Sentience is launching The Chicken Check, an investigative campaign which examines how Switzerland’s largest retailers measure up against the European Chicken Commitment (ECC).
For context, the ECC is a science-based framework designed to reduce the suffering of broiler chickens by improving conditions across key welfare metrics: breed selection, stocking density, environment enrichment, humane slaughter.
Over the next month, we will release four reports, one each week, assessing the compliance of Migros, Coop, Aldi and Lidl with the ECC.
Our first report, on Migros (Switzerland’s largest poultry retailer), is available here, and marks the official start of the campaign.
Why this matters
In Switzerland, over 80 million broiler chickens are slaughtered each year. 92% are raised in intensive systems, bred to grow so fast that many can barely stand or walk by the end of their short lives.
Despite Switzerland’s progressive reputation, no Swiss retailer has signed the ECC, whilst many of their European counterparts, such as Lidl Germany and Aldi France, already have.
Switzerland prides itself on strong animal welfare laws, yet these mean little in practice if fast-growing chickens continue to suffer from chronic pain and immobility before slaughter.
The ECC sets tangible, achievable and measurable standards, including::
- Phasing out fast-growing breeds
- Reducing stocking density to ≤30 kg/m²
- Providing enrichments and natural light (≥50 lux)
- Adopting humane slaughter methods (CAS)
- Ensuring independent auditing and transparent reporting
Dozens of European companies have already proven that these targets can be reached without threatening business viability.
Our approach: investigation and mobilisation
Sentience recently became an official signatory of the ECC, and Switzerland has been added to the list of countries where efforts are being undertaken to convince retailers and food companies to adopt the ECC.
To enable change and put pressure on retailers, we decided to conduct a comprehensive review of each retailer’s publicly available information.
The campaign invites consumers to email retailers directly, urging them to commit to the ECC and publish transparent annual progress reports.
The dual approach – combining evidence and mobilisation – seeks both to fill an information gap and to empower public participation in corporate accountability (and governance).
How you can help
- Send an email to retailers urging them to sign and commit to the ECC
- Share The Chicken Check with colleagues, networks, or anyone interested in corporate welfare reform
- Get in touch with us at zoe.newton@sentience.ch! We welcome conversations on evaluating cost-effectiveness and expected welfare gains per chickens from ECC adoption in the Swiss context
Learn more
Zoe Newton