The Albert Schweitzer Foundation is delighted to welcome three more partners to the European Chicken Commitment: Vapiano, the Heidelberg student service organization and the Jörg M. Heimer Nachf. GmbH.
The system caterer Vapiano has undertaken to offer, from 2026 at the latest, only chicken meat that fulfills the criteria of the commitment. This applies to all of the company’s European locations. »Vapiano’s decision sends a clear message to the rest of the industry that it is high time for all companies to take responsibility for the food that they offer«, says Loretta Schulte, project manager at the Albert Schweitzer Foundation.
For many years now, the canteens run by the Heidelberg student service organization have been reducing the amount of meat on their menu. All the chicken meat that still appears on this menu will be subject to the requirements of the European Chicken Commitment from 2026 at the latest. Tanja Modrow, manager: »By signing up to this commitment and through our active engagement as a customer, we hope to do our bit to bring about the changes so urgently needed in the animal production industry.«
Another important step in this direction comes from the Heimer GmbH, which is also supporting the commitment. The only full-service provider of frozen poultry to the German retail trade is set to offer, by 2026, a product range that meets all the required criteria in full. »We have been offering products from improved husbandry conditions for some years now. Signing up to the European Chicken Commitment is the next logical step for us«, says Thilo Schrenk, CEO of Heimer GmbH.
All three companies will have their compliance with the standards monitored through independent inspections.
The European Chicken Commitment
In Germany alone, more than 600 million chickens are raised for their meat and killed every year—that is more than 80% of all slaughtered land animals. Most of these animals grow so fast that they can barely stand on their feet. The dismal and cramped environment of the sheds adds to their suffering. To alleviate this, we have joined forces with other European animal protection groups to launch the European Chicken Commitment, which now has 35 members. This commitment primarily requires its signatories to reduce the overbreeding of animals in their supply chains and to provide more space, light and variety in the sheds. Another important requirement is for less stressful stunning before slaughter.