There are more than 50,000 signatures collected by the petition launched by the organization to be animals for Ask Kfc Italia for a concrete commitment in improving the breeding conditions of chickens provided to the fast food chain. The goal of the campaign is clear: to convince the company to sign the European Chicken Commitment (etc.), a set of minimum standards to reduce animal suffering.
The appeal is not isolated. Throughout Europe, over 300 companies have already joined the ECV, including some well -known Italian brands such as Eataly, Carrefour Italia and Cortilia. Kfc has already adopted these standards in different countries, including France, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, the United Kingdom and Ireland. In Italy, however, the fried chicken giant has not yet made any commitment.
The conditions of chickens in the farms
The chickens raised for the meat, known as “Broiler”, are among the most exploited animals on an industrial level. In 2020, about 70 billion chickens in the world were slaughtered, of which over 500 million only in Italy. Most of these animals belong to rapid growth breeds, genetically selected to reach the slaughter weight in just 40 days. This rhythm of accelerated growth causes them serious suffering, including skeletal problems, motor difficulties and malfunction of the internal organs.
In addition to forced growth, intensive farms impose extreme living conditions: at the end of the production cycle, each chicken has a space lower than an A4 sheet available. The high density and the absence of an environment suited to their life make their existences short and painful.
The undercover investigation and the campaign of being animals
In March 2024, being animals spread i shocking results of an under cover investigationconducted in four farms by a supplier of Kfc Italia in the province of Verona. The images collected showed agonizing chickens, with open wounds, chest and burned legs, a high mortality and serious violence by the operators. These data confirm the cruel practices still widespread in the poultry industry and the urgent need for a change.
For over a year and a half, the association has asked Kfc Italia for a concrete commitment, but the company has not yet responded. In the meantime, activists have intensified the pressure: in the last twelve months, over 700 emails have been sent to the company, 600 comments on social media, 900 posts and launched 1000 tweets to raise public awareness.
Kfc’s silence and the launch of the Noggets
Elisa Bianco, Corporate Engagement Manager to be animalsthus commented on the situation, underlining the inconsistency between KFC’s statements and his actions:
KFC states that a good quality food starts from guaranteeing standards more respectful of animal welfare on breeding, yet it continues to ignore our requests for a year and a half. A few days ago the company launched the noggets, chicken nugget advertised as not ‘the usual ground, pre-impanated and frozen chicken chicken chicken chicken chicken A claim behind which he continues to hide The same suffering of the chickens that has never stopped being part of KFC’s secret recipe from the beginning of our campaign. How many proclamations will we still have to read before seeing a concrete commitment?
The KFC appeal is clear: it is time that in Italy the company also follows the example of other European countries and takes a clear position to reduce the suffering of chickens in its farms. With over 50,000 consumers already mobilized (and it is still possible to sign the petition here), public pressure continues to grow. Sooner or later will it convince themselves?
