Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about the BCC
Who runs the Better Chicken Commitment, and where did it come from?
No individual organisation is in charge of the Better Chicken Commitment. In 2016, animal welfare scientists from leading nonprofit organisations reached a unanimous consensus on broiler production’s most pressing evidence-based welfare concerns. The result of that agreement was a set of standards that will meaningfully improve the welfare of chickens by establishing a baseline for their treatment.
How do we join the Better Chicken Commitment?
Companies wishing to adopt the Better Chicken Commitment and inform consumers of their commitment to animal welfare will publicly announce that they currently sell, or plan to sell, exclusively chicken meeting the Better Chicken Commitment standards or better.
This often takes the form of a statement on their website or press release, accompanied by a roadmap describing expected timelines for implementation. Many larger companies can also expect to receive media exposure.
Suppliers interested in being featured on the website are encouraged to contact us with more information and a link to your BCC statement, or with any additional questions.
We are a retailer sourcing from a supplier listed on your website. Do we still need to adopt the Better Chicken Commitment?
Yes. Adopting the Better Chicken Commitment lets consumers, partners, and the media know that your company is committed to corporate social responsibility and serving quality food. This message is crucial and may not be adequately conveyed through your relationship with a supplier alone, because some suppliers do not exclusively raise BCC-compliant chicken.
It is essential that companies interested in sourcing BCC-compliant products communicate their policy requirements to chicken suppliers and create a step-by-step plan for making any necessary supply chain adjustments.
Does my entire supply need to meet the Better Chicken Commitment standards before I can make a commitment?
No. The Better Chicken Commitment is not a certification or verification program, but instead a public commitment to improving animal welfare. Therefore, we encourage companies to sign on today regardless of the specific circumstances of their current supply chain.
To transition successfully, we also encourage businesses to make a plan with their supplier for how they’ll meet their animal welfare goals and on what timeline. Updating your public commitment with incremental, annual benchmarks for each standard of the Better Chicken Commitment, sometimes referred to as a “roadmap” or “glide path,” is strongly encouraged and can adapt to your current needs and goals.
Does this policy cost anything to sign on?
No. There are zero fees associated with adopting the Better Chicken Commitment.
How does the Better Chicken Commitment impact consumer choice?
At its core, the Better Chicken Commitment is about increasing consumer choice. It ensures that businesses provide the more humane products that consumers demand, and that buyers know which brands they can trust.
Some companies still worry that the Better Chicken Commitment will reduce their option to sell the lowest-priced meat products. However, the affordability of BCC-compliant chicken will improve with scale.
The Better Chicken Commitment allows companies to cater to their markets more effectively by meeting customer demand for affordable and more humane products.