“It costs to do the right thing - and you cannot always do the right thing at the right time” - Allan Leighton, Co-op Chair
Dear Ms Khoury-Haq, Co-op CEO
At the Co-op AGM in Manchester on 20th May 2023 in response to Motion 12 (Animal Welfare) Co-op Chair Allan Leighton said “It costs to do the right thing…”
The Co-op, if nothing else, is about doing the right thing. As you know that’s why the organisation came into being.
The Co-op seems to accept that Motion 12 and ending the sale of fast growing ‘Frankenchickens’ is the right thing to do. I agree.
These birds grow so fast that a million of them die every week before even reaching the slaughterhouse. Their lives are full of pain and misery, and with 51 million chickens being sold by Co-op every year, your company’s lack of action on this issue is causing a great deal of unnecessary animal suffering.
Solutions exist. Hundreds of companies – including M&S, Waitrose and KFC – have pledged to use only slower growing chickens – animals who live much better lives.
31,226 Co-op members voted for this change – 96% of those voting. According to a YouGov poll, 78% of the British public don’t want to see farming practices that cause pain and suffering even as a means of providing affordable food.
I, along with your members, don’t think that ignoring the vote and the strong feelings that surround the subject is the Co-operative way and the Co-op I know and respect.
Your board has already said no to Motion 12. I ask you and the board to please reconsider.
Acknowledge the strength of your member’s feelings and of the public and commit the Co-op to phasing out the sale of Frankenchickens over a timescale that works for the business.
Alleviating animal suffering on a huge scale by making the commitment would be a great achievement for a pioneer like the Co-op.
I am looking to you to help please.
Thank you