June 2, 2008

KFC Canada agrees to more humane killing of chickens

On Sunday (June 1, 2008), People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) announced that KFC Canada had agreed to begin phasing in purchases of chickens from suppliers using controlled-atmosphere killing (CAK) as a means of slaughter, until 100 percent of its suppliers are CAK companies.

KFC Canada is run by Canadian company Priszm which oversees 461 locations in Canada, or more than half the KFC stores in the country.

PETA said in a statement on its Web site that negotiations with KFC Canada were ongoing for several months before the weekend's announcement.

As part of its agreement with PETA, KFC Canada also will add a vegan faux-chicken item to the menu of all Priszm-owned KFC restaurants.

It would also improve its animal welfare audit criteria to reduce the number of broken bones and other injuries suffered by birds.

Suppliers would also be urged to use better lighting, lower stocking density and ammonia levels, and to phase out growth-promoting drugs and breeding practices.