The initiative originates from an alliance of around 30 animal welfare organisations with the essential aim of improving the keeping of broiler chickens.
Important animal welfare aspects such as a lower stocking density, the restriction of over-breeding as well as minimum standards for light and manipulable material are implemented.
Companies from the food industry that want to take important steps and set standards support the European Broiler Chicken Initiative and implement the required criteria. “For us as the Studierendenwerk, it is important to put more emphasis on the issue and also to set ourselves clear goals,” says Elmar Köninger, head of the gastronomy department. Until meat is available that meets all the criteria of the European Broiler Chicken Initiative, the Studierendenwerk will make use of similar offers such as the entry level of the German Animal Welfare Association and gradually increase their share in the assortment.
The Studierendenwerk Siegen will implement the requirements of the Europäische Masthuhn-Initiative masthuhn-initiative.de (European Broiler Initiative) for all its catering facilities by 2026. The Studierendenwerk publishes annual reports on the progress of the implementation and has independent controls ensure compliance with the standards.