Published 23/05/2008

Things are really hotting up for Tesco. Not only has Compassion in World Farming just launched a new phase of Tesco demos, but celebrity chef and chicken welfare champion Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall has announced his master plan for a 'mass revolt' by Tesco shareholders.

The news was released on the morning of 23 May by Martin Hickman, Consumer Correspondent for the Independent, who reported that Hugh FW is "...calling for a mass revolt by Tesco shareholders" over its sales of standard Tesco meat chickens, which are reared in intensive units.

Hugh FW has bought shares in the retail giant in order to table a resolution to be debated at the Tesco Annual General Meeting on 27 June. The resolution calls on Tesco to adopt the RSPCA Freedom Foods standards as a minimum for chickens, or stop claiming that it supports animal welfare. Hugh believes that Tesco breaches at least three of the 'five freedoms' set by the Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC), a government body set-up to advise on farm animal welfare legislation.

Compassion in World Farming has worked hard to push Hugh's campaign forward and will continue to do so until we believe that real progress has been made.

Look out for Compassion in World Farming supporter demonstrations outside Tesco stores around the country.