TV CHEF ASKS TESCO TO BACK HIGHER CHICKEN STANDARDS

TV CHEF ASKS TESCO TO BACK HIGHER CHICKEN STANDARDS

TV cook Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall is to ask Tesco shareholders to back proposals to improve the welfare standards for chickens.

Mr Fearnley-Whittingstall will today attend Tesco's annual general meeting where shareholders will be asked to help improve the current standards for chickens reared for eating.

Campaigners claim that the current conditions at some rearing farms are appalling and need to be urgently improved.

Tesco, the UK's biggest supermarket chain, was criticised earlier this year when it cut the price for a standard whole chicken to just £1.99.

The supermarket counters the criticism by saying its chickens are raised on farms with high standards.