Hugh

Chickens, Hugh and Tesco Too Chickens, Hugh and Tesco Too

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Date Published:
15/12/2008

Last summer Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall took on his local town, the poultry industry and the nation's supermarkets in a bid to change Britain's relationship with its favourite meat: chicken.

As supermarkets nationwide sold out of free-range chicken, the poultry industry rushed to cope with demand. But while the series' powerful message shifted consumer attitudes, Britain's biggest retailer, Tesco, was still reluctant to talk to Hugh.

Revealing what happened next, this programme follows Hugh as he makes an audacious attempt to force Tesco to change policy on intensively reared chicken from the inside, by becoming a shareholder. Can he get enough fellow shareholders onside to demand the floor and put his case to Tesco's board of directors?

Hugh also targets the notoriously secretive poultry industry to explore if higher welfare indoor birds - or Freedom Foods chicken - could provide the nation with more humanely-produced, yet affordable, chicken as people increasingly feel the pinch in their pockets.

And Hugh revisits Hayley, the single mother who stood firm and continued to buy cheap mass-produced chicken. Can Hugh persuade Hayley to trade up to Freedom Foods and send a significant message to Britain's cash-strapped consumers?

Watch Chickens, Hugh and Tesco Too, coming to Channel 4, Monday, 26th January, 9pm.

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  1. Great job Hugh! I'm supporting you all the way. I have enacted a complete boycott on Tesco for myself, I also have six other family and friends doing the same after the debacle at the Tesco agm. They cannot continue to think we are all idiots that can't decide for ouselves what we want to eat , both ethically and nutritionally. Keep fighting, we're right behind you!
    Posted by Dan H on 21/04/2009 10:43:59
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  2. Fantastic work fighting Tescos Hugh. Tesco will always play dirty as profits are their only motivation. Tesco chicken packaging is still conning shoppers, one can read all about the farmers with their photos on the labels but it says nothing. Photos are misleading with all outdoor shots. I want to read a label about the chicken not the ruddy farmer!I feel it is false labelling and trading standards ought to act on this. My own complaints to Tesco by letter locally & to Chesthunt have been ignored. All their meat products should state origin of farm, barn, free range, freedom food etc.I am boycoting these products as a protest. All tescos meat products should have a red tractor logo, farm assured rosette etc.additionally it is a con to have a union jack flag only meaning the meat is cut up & processed in the UK but could be from any European farm without certification of any animal welfare standards. This flag should be banned or mean as it implies; grown in the UK. How can one protest further? The advertising regulators ought to look into Tesco`s false claims and diliberately misleading labels.The public is denied the truth , this ought to be illegal. Keep on fighting. We are behind you. Saffron Walden county high school farm club in Essex has 40 new hens but needs ?3000 fencing & a chicken shed. If 2000 school kids see how chickens can run free it will educate them for the future about animal welfare when shopping. Please contact the school if anyone can donate or know how we can get a grant. Educating everyone from kids to housewives on good animal husbandry is the only way forward. Tesco must learn it has a duty too and start playing fair.. Jackie
    Posted by Jackie Damary on 04/02/2009 15:04:55
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  3. I would like to respond to Martin Green's comment below & point out that actual figures WERE used in the program (the farmer was recording these on a board) & using these as a basis I cannot see how there was an improvement??
    Posted by Leigh Smith on 03/02/2009 19:08:48
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  4. After watching this programme I have decided to boycott Tesco's and shop at Sainbury's instead. My local shop is Aylesford, Kent. I went on Sunday and was surprised to see chickens on sale that had no information on as to how they had been reared. Other chickens had the RSPCA or Free Range ticket on. I was led to believe that Sainbury's was one of the supermarkets who didn't stock the cheaper standard chickens. Did I get this wrong or was I mis-informed. It would be nice to find out which is the true statemnet as at the moment I am very confused.
    Posted by KATRINA WHITE on 02/02/2009 10:21:05
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  5. hi im maggie and i do agree with what hugh is trying to acheve, but im unable to buy organic anything and i cook from scratch and produce my own veg in my very very small garden,infact i grow everything i can everywhere in my house, if hugh was on my budget would he have these morals about buying the best i dont think so, i would like to see hugh living off my budget for a month and then tell me that he can aford organic
    Posted by maggie on 01/02/2009 23:39:03
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  6. Like the last viewer has pointed out, the Hugh FW video above is merely an advert for the British Army - leading up to the Great British Food Fight programme - NOT the actual programme!!
    Posted by Jacqueline Wall on 01/02/2009 17:53:47
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  7. After having watched this programme last night i went to get some chicken for a sunday roast. When arriving at Tesco i looked for some Organic chicken as i strongly agree with the message which Hugh is trying to convey. Not only was thier shelves stacked to the brim with their standard cheap chickens, but they only had two of their Willow Farm chickens which they said was their step towards improving what they provide to the public, but they didn't have any organic chickens on the shelves nor were the staff able to find any in the entire store. So i cannot agree with Tesco's statment that "they give us the choice to make our decisions". I shop at Tesco regularly because of they're good costs, but am very disheartened when they cannot provide me the choice to pay for a prodouct which i morally agree with.
    Posted by bonny on 01/02/2009 15:39:37
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  8. I would like to see the Chickens, Hugh and Tesco too but all that will run is an AA advert please change it
    Posted by Tracey Hardwick on 01/02/2009 08:37:31
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  9. I suggest that Lee Smith is not a statistician. Rates are based on a proportion of the population not on the actual numbers so it is a percentage of the the overall population that Hugh is talking about not the actual numbers.
    Posted by Martin Green on 31/01/2009 21:12:54
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  10. I found Hugh's programme re chicken husbandry very interesting and moving. However I should be interested to know in what conditions the laying hens are kept in order to produce the fluffy chicks for the sheds/barns.
    Posted by Sylvia Underwood on 31/01/2009 15:42:31
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  11. Excellent programme. It really raised out awareness, and my partner and I will definitely only be buying free range meat especially after watching Jamie Olivers pig programme last night as well. We have also decided the way Tesco behaved, we will definitely never be shopping there again. Well done... keep up the fight.
    Posted by Julie Miles on 30/01/2009 14:12:48
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  12. I understand Hugh's intentions and I agree welfare standards should improve, but the research is totally flawed! The comparison made between the two chicken sheds showed an improvement in mortality rates, and i quote - 'halved' it. However, this doesnt take into account that the 'bad' chicken shed had far more chickens in it, so of course the death toll would be higher! There was not sufficient evidence to suggest that 'like for like' the 'good' chicken shed is a better system & therefore worth paying extra for?!
    Posted by Leigh Smith on 28/01/2009 19:30:57
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  13. I was so pleased that this programme highlighted Tesco's irresponsible approach to retail. Besides standard chicken Tesco also continues to sell Skate on its fish counters, which is a fish at the top of the Marine Conservation Society's list of over-fished species that we should not be eating. Also, they insist on selling Vietnamese River Cobbler which has shocking air miles for such an unpopular fish.
    Posted by ta2080 on 28/01/2009 19:21:36
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  14. Dear Hugh Completely disgusted with Tesco - how it saddens me that such awful, avaricous individuals run the company. As for the `media` person - well you really had her on the ropes - how dare she speak for the British public? Tesco should have the courage to invite support with an e-mail form for a vote. Thanks Hugh for being the moral conscience of our country.
    Posted by Zeeny on 28/01/2009 17:32:10
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  15. Well done Hugh for highlighting this issue. I had stopped going to Tesco for anything but essentials some time ago for animal welfare reasons but now Tescos will never see a penny of my money again, ever, even if they change their food welfare policies altogether. After watching the conversation with the so-called PR woman it was the final straw for me...what an abject display of stupidity that was on Tescos part and what damage it must have done to their reputation. Well done, keep up the fight against animal cruelty, smugness and hypocrisy.
    Posted by Jezza on 28/01/2009 17:14:59
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  16. I hate Tesco's and don't understand how things like methods of meat production are not having to be shown on the labelling. Personally I think we eat too much and if we all ate less then we'd easily be able to buy organically.
    Posted by chaosmaker on 28/01/2009 14:46:35
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  17. I will not now buy any chicken at tesco I now go to my local butchers where I am assured it is well cared for. I think tesco are very greedy and will now shop at Sainsbury if I have to go to the supermarket. It makes you think they may be only chickens but they have a right to a good life the same as any other living creature
    Posted by Lucy on 28/01/2009 14:20:23
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  18. I just want to say well done hugh and channel 4 for broardcasting your program.documentry. We are a family of 3 in our 2nd year of growing our own veg ect. we have always sourced our food locally and are very lucky to have places like riverfords to shop at. We have not brought meat from a supermarkets for years and your programs have just brought it home even more so as to not to shop in supermarkets. I can not quite belive how much of a run around tesco gave you they seem to think they are above everyone else, maybe getting to big for there shoes!! well done again, looking forward to the follow on program about tesco n chickens
    Posted by carla/devon on 28/01/2009 10:50:49
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  19. I just wanted to commend the documentary. I found it very balanced and informative. I think that tesco have really shown themselves up with their behavour and attitudes. I personally will not be shopping there in future, thankyou very much for the effort you made to change things.
    Posted by mary-anne on 28/01/2009 10:09:07
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  20. Thank you Hugh for a truly eye opening show - Tesco's attitude is shocking to say the least, we always buy free range, and no longer buy chicken from Tesco, from now on we won't be buying much of anything from Tesco. We have been discussing the program at work and it is obvious it has had a huge impact on the viewers. Their labelling is undeniably misleading. Fantastic work Hugh, we will continue to support and encourage others to opt for free range. Debra
    Posted by Debra on 27/01/2009 23:20:55
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  21. It is all very well, but the majority of chickens sold in all retailers are the "standard" birds. People who stop shopping at Tesco and go to Morrisons, Sainsbury's, Lidl and the rest will still have the same choice as at Tesco, so what is the result that Hugh really wants? To turn people off shopping at Tesco, or to turn people off shopping standard chicken? I thought it was supposed to be the latter, but the programme actually appeared to want the former? Is Hugh really interested in changing consumer shopping patterns on animal welfare, or does he want to make a name for himself in taking on the might of Tesco? Oh, and by the way, my family could quite happily buy Tesco Willow Farm (the one with the environmentally enriched standards) chicken in 2007. I noticed that Sainsbury's, Morrisons and ASDA didn't have such a choice back then, so it makes me think that Hugh (or perhaps his editor) has distorted the programme to make a story. Sadly I no longer trust Hugh or Tesco.
    Posted by no way on 27/01/2009 22:46:19
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  22. Dear Hugh - I know this is just one of the thousands of e-mails that you will receive, but we would like to add our support to the chicken out campaign. We were both rivited to the show and gobsmacked by the attitude of Tesco's last night. We have been thinking of shopping elsewhere for a while, but we were drawn in by the clubcard points, and the free weekends away etc, etc... but now we will definately be shopping elsewhere until they show a significant change of attitude. We too have our own chickens (and ducks!) so we already enjoy free range eggs, but we haven't been able to eat any of them yet! I just couldn't cope with seeing Colin on a plate!!! Well done Hugh, keep up the good work... 'HUGHS THE DADDY' - you are Hugh!!!
    Posted by Nicola Barnes on 27/01/2009 21:37:57
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  23. dear huge thank you so much for all your hard work in bringing the plight of the poor chicken to the public and not giving up on tesco. Iv written to tesco several times on this matter who assured me they had minimum welfare standards in place,not good enough,ino longer shop at tesco and norwill i again untill they make these small but significant changes.My family and friends also shop else where.Excellant work huge
    Posted by julia wilkinson on 27/01/2009 19:31:45
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  24. dear huge thank you so much for all your hard work in bringing the plight of the poor chicken to the public and not giving up on tesco. Iv written to tesco several times on this matter who assured me they had minimum welfare standards in place,not good enough,ino longer shop at tesco and norwill i again untill they make these small but significant changes.My family and friends also shop else where.Excellant work huge
    Posted by julia wilkinson on 27/01/2009 19:26:08
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  25. Hats off to Hugh, his 'discussion' with the PR girl proved the maxim, it is simply not possible to defend the indefensible. Seriously Tesco, who in your boardroom was responsible for your decision making over this issue, mistake after mistake!! Heads are gonna have to roll before you accept that you have no option but to accept the views of your customers.
    Posted by NevMetson on 27/01/2009 19:23:38
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  26. Brilliant. Keep up the good work.
    Posted by AL on 27/01/2009 18:54:42
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  27. since watching your story over the past year i to think that things need changing! When i watched your chicken run last year i went out and built 2 chicken sheds of my own,which now houses 26 birds! We have even hatched some off..we now can have our own fresh eggs and eat the odd cock bird whenever we what!You can't get no fresher than that!! Thanks hugh!!!
    Posted by leigh on 27/01/2009 18:21:02
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  28. Brilliant show! Well done Hugh! We are on a budget but after watching the show we will be buying the Freedom Food chicken from now on. It's this type of show which provides Joe Bloggs with this information, which in turn helps us to make an informed choice. Without Hugh we wouldn't be given that choice by Tesco. We haven't shopped in Tesco since the show last year - and we will now make sure of what we are purchasing. Thankyou for raising this issue and making us aware of it. Yours Nicole Granville
    Posted by Nicole Granville on 27/01/2009 16:40:10
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  29. Compared to the sheds for standard-raised chickens, the freedom fooods sheds were such a relief to see. Watching the chickens being able to perch, run around and flap their wings was such a lovely sight. Let's hope this becomes the legal baseline throughout the EU. It's so good that this has been brought to the attention of the public.
    Posted by High farm animal welfare on 27/01/2009 16:01:52
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  30. Thank you, your show last night was a real eye-opener and I shall look at Tesco with new eyes. How dare they infer their welfare is up to the standard that it is not, and refuse to uphold the RSPCA recommendations. I have now definitely decided to shop elsewhere and shall in future give the store a wide berth. All power to your campaign!
    Posted by Gill Craggs on 27/01/2009 15:09:01
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  31. Just wanted to say thank you to Huge and all the people helping him in his fight with Tesco's. Watching the show last night I just could not believe their attitude towards chicken welfare, and I have e-mailed them today to tell them so and also that I shall no longer be shopping with them. It's obvious that the only way to give Tesco's a conscience on this matter is to make them upset and passionate about the issue. And hitting their shareholders profit margins aught to do it!
    Posted by JacquiR on 27/01/2009 14:04:31
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  32. Dear Hugh, we thoroughly enjoyed (if thats the best way of describing it?) your programme on Monday 26th Jan and were disappointed that we had not been aware of your intentions ala Tesco AGM. We are Tesco shareholders and having watched with interest and frustration (with Tesco) we would have liked to have extended our support, had we known. We were particularly disappointed with the responses from Tesco when you met with their Media person! and their lack of clarity. Typical when marketeers become involved. So much so that we will be considering disposing of our shares and reinvesting with a more ethical company. I must say that we have noticed a decline in the choice of freerange and organic chicken in the store we have used by comparison, incidently we have been Tesco customers for some time, for as long as we can remember. This is now something we intend to consider very carefully i.e. switching to a more ethically minded provider. We are interested to know if there is anything else planned with a view to adding our support. Kind regards Ian and Ann
    Posted by Ian & Ann on 27/01/2009 13:59:09
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  33. Since your 'Chicken Run' programmes I have stopped eating non-free range chicken. As of last night I shall no longer be shopping at Tesco either. We, the public, have no option but to vote with our wallets but if enough of us do it, it WILL make a difference. Thank you Hugh.
    Posted by Richard the Rogue on 27/01/2009 13:57:51
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  34. Well Done Hugh. Excellent show that proved our supermarket moguls are just gutless profiteering machines! I have always shopped in Tesco, but have decided from now on to go to Sainsburys as they seem to realise, with a minimal change, we can have better and fairer food. Not only have Tesco lost my Chicken custom, but me as a Tesco customer. Perhaps this is the only way we can all get through to "The Board". I really appreciate you efforts on behalf of every right minded thinking person in the UK. I would also like to thank Channel 4 for this brilliant series of programs. Mat
    Posted by Mat on 27/01/2009 13:32:54
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  35. What an eye opener last night, if the 'Head of Media' or what ever she was is an example of the people who work at Tesco's then I hope that they don't only start to change there Chicken, but the Staff as well!!........Great show.
    Posted by Ray Barnett on 27/01/2009 13:02:25
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  36. I am encouraged by Hugh's attempt to engage with the retail monster known as Tesco. Not only did their management show their true light in their response to Hugh's request for an "on camera" debate but equally their apparent arrogance that,whatever they do, can be justified by their profit margins and the interests of their shareholders. I believe that such large organistations benefit no one and that their profit driven management causes great damage to individfuals and companies and I salute Hugh's efforts to bring the scale to human/humane level. Well done Hugh.
    Posted by Richard Hill on 27/01/2009 12:29:02
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  37. Hugh. Excellent programme. A powerful illustration of the double standards by Tesco and their use of spin over substance. Tesco fail to understand the negative PR effect and that this will effect their brand. I will no longer shop at Tesco. The fact that they made you pay the postage was poor and in PR terms backfired. Well done
    Posted by jamie on 27/01/2009 12:16:51
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  38. Hugh, I have contacted Tesco this morning and have informed them that unless they change their policy on basic animal welfare standards then I shall no longer shop with them ever again for any of their products. They know very well that cheap meat means a short substandard and miserable life. Keep up the fight against this cruelty and keep on trying to educate the people who buy these products and say they don't care about animal welfare. Voting with your feet could very well win the battle. Well done!
    Posted by Helen on 27/01/2009 11:42:12
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  39. Well done Hugh, Its about time Tesco was really uncovered for what they are. I am pleased to say that we buy organic meat, milk and free range eggs but as a result of your programme I have cut my Tesco clubcard up and sent it to their head office explaining that I no longer want to shop there. I hope the Tesco's spokeswoman will read our comments and then lets see what smart answers she can come up with. Maybe they will realise shoppers do actually care; we are not money-grabbing machines like they obviously are. Please keep up the good work, you are amazing and the world needs more people like you. Kind regards Amy
    Posted by Amy Waters on 27/01/2009 11:22:23
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  40. After watching your programme last night, I am now more certain that in future I will only be buying my meat from reputable butchers from now on. Tesco's have been supplying a poor quality of meat for too long now. I would like to clarify that I too have been mislead by the labelling on Tesco Chickens. Thinking that because there was a farmer's face on the blue label that it was a better grade chicken and that the Value range were probably the 'standard chickens' - how wrong was I? Thank you Hugh; I will be avoiding Tesco chicken until they start thinking about the poor little things while they have a life!
    Posted by Almond on 27/01/2009 10:34:09
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  41. Hugh, you are a star! Thank you so much for once again exposing the real cost of cheap chicken. This type of programming should be compulsary viewing for any meat eater, whether they have a compassion for the treatment of our food or not. The smug media representative from Tesco just added to their obvious contempt for anything other than their bottom line. As to producing food to meet their customers needs, what rot! With a minimum of effort and costs and some of their, seemingly neverending, advertising campaigns they could have been at the forefront of changing consummers choices. I live in rural Sufolk, my nearest store is Tesco 12 miles away. I am pleased that I make the effort to shop at a rival store 18 miles away!
    Posted by Karen Gwynne-Vince on 27/01/2009 10:04:03
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  42. Hurrah for Hugh! Tesco's have displayed their usual arrogant attitude throughout the standard chicken issue and hidden behind the "We sell what people want" idea for too long. I stopped shopping with them after your first programmes and I certainly didn't see anything last night to make me change my mind. Let's all vote with our feet and move to the other supermarkets!
    Posted by Sandra on 27/01/2009 06:06:27
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  43. Hi Hugh, what a program ! well done my man ! Tesco need to know they have just lost another "Jo Blogs" mine was a big spend every week ! I'm sure Morrisons and Lidli will love my custome.You must keep up the good work ! Regards Legs.
    Posted by Legs Dymond on 27/01/2009 00:39:44
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  44. Hugh. Well done FANTASTIC programme, you tackled a very important issue head on and in my mind won an astounding victory, forget about statistics and share holder votes for a minute and remember the power of television, a very powerfull media. I am also impressed that you can be so passionate and focused about a subject without having to resort to useing the 'F' word, I stopped watching Gordon Ramsay's programmes for that very reason and now Jamie Oliver has started to bastardise the english language, thankyou for not stooping that low. Keep up the good work. :-) Regards David Rooke (Veggie grower and cook on the wild side!)
    Posted by David Rooke on 26/01/2009 23:52:50
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  45. I've certainly changed my shopping habits even after watching the first programme: Now my chicken (and eggs)are always free-range - and much better quality in the bargain. It's a disgrace that Tesco as one of the biggest supermarkets in this country won't sign up basic animal welfare standards! Hats off to Hugh and his campaign - Hugh, why don't you start an internet campaign? You got my vote! (Checking out The Chicken House company right now - thanks for the link, p1chic!)
    Posted by Babette on 26/01/2009 23:31:32
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  46. Hello Hugh Just watched your battle with Tescos. This was the first time i knew of your pursuit for this brilliant campaign of exposure. I thought you did a great job and was really pleased with the way you tackled it.I dont know the outcome, like yourself probably? I really hope there is progress in the awful conditions the chickens live in. I try my hardest to buy organic free range eggs already.Im not too sure if it is completly what I think they are though.I will make a concerted effort to start checking the box now. The chicken I buy arent organic because of cost, but I will now purchase brighter chickens that have been reared with extra space, or eat less so I can afford it. yours sincerely Bene G PS I really hope that you get time to read this, and would have donated a pound had I known of your cause in time to help contribute. take care.
    Posted by Bene Gardner on 26/01/2009 23:00:47
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  47. I'll be honest Hugh, I'm a student and I really couldn't care less how a chicken is raised. If the standard chicken is a quid less than the free range, then it's the cheaper one every time. I don't think the rearing of standard chickens is particularly cruel. The idea that free range chicken tastes significantly better than battery is also pretty absurd.
    Posted by Andy on 26/01/2009 22:45:42
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  48. Im 23 and before watchin all these shows on cheap food and your show on how chickens are breed I never realised how poorly chickens and other animals are treated.it's now opened my eyes on my health and how we need to look after all animals,because we wouldn't treat a person the way we treat animals.me and my parnter have recently decided to buy free range food and buy no meat from supermarkets,as we are concern how animals are forced to grow quicker and not nautral.your show was very interesting and very much a learning curve for many.I only hope all people will learn and make tesco's and other supermarkets more concerned on animal welfare.I am now going tell my thoughts to others and hope they can change aswel.keep up the great work on good British food
    Posted by Daniel jessop on 26/01/2009 22:30:44
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  49. Hi Hugh, i hope you read these. I have just finished watching your follow on programme. Is there a way of people having a vote on your website which can then be presented to Tesco? I am a Tesco Shopper on a limited budget, and since your last programe i have only purchased RSPCA chicken. I can understand totally your comments re Tesco's labeling and agree it is misleading. I feel that Tesco and all the other supermarkets have a duty of care not only to their customers, but also to the farmed animals for our consumption. Keep up the good work.
    Posted by Yvette Wentworth-Foster on 26/01/2009 22:29:02
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  50. Hi Hugh Well done keep up the good work. Supermarkets can influnence public opinion as much as public opinion can influence supermarkets, look at Waitrose, M & S and the Co-Op.they took away the standard chicken option and it hasn't gone against them, in fact customers trust them more.
    Posted by Rob on 26/01/2009 22:13:49
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  51. I think what Hugh is doing is great! However it's a little to focused on one specific issue, what about battery hens? These chickens, in some ways, have a much worse fate living for up tp two years in a small cage, and have still not been completely fazed out. Great stuff Hugh but still so much to go!
    Posted by Thomas Chapman on 26/01/2009 21:56:28
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  52. I have a few shares in Tesco - u have my vote ! Its only with people power we can get these supermarkets to change all their animal welfare policies. Well done Hugh
    Posted by tamuel on 26/01/2009 21:53:39
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  53. hi hugh and team, we are watching your follow on program from last year. since watching the chicken run we have converted completely to free range and welfare chicken/produce. we were shocked at what we saw and cant believe the supermarkets continue selling budget chickens, the problem only continues because of their lack of commitment, we support you and encourage others (friends and family) to do the same. please dont be defeated we hope you have great sucess in the future with this project, i would love to help out please email me if there is anything i can do. good luck x
    Posted by cheryll blewitt on 26/01/2009 21:36:18
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  54. I'm enjoying the show, and I've definitely changed my shopping choices since the last one. But what about other meats? There doesn't seem to be such a choice - is this because the 'basic' range is better for other animals? Or is the publicity just lower?
    Posted by Kate on 26/01/2009 21:30:21
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  55. After watching the last show, I emailed Kentucky Fried Chicken to ask if their chicken was reared according to the Freedom Food criteria. It took a while but eventually I was told that they looked after their chickens really well but that they did not meet the Freedom Food criteria. That sounded like a bit of a contradiction to me. So, we stopped ever going to KFC. I know it's not Cordon Bleu but it is a lot better than McDonalds when you're travelling. I was just wondering whether Tesco or KFC get through the most chickens. I wondered if Hugh and his supporters might consider pointing out to his viewers that KFC are not using chickens that have been reared in the best of conditions. Why not apply some pressure to them.
    Posted by nowthen on 26/01/2009 17:48:33
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  56. I do not know whether you are aware of this fact, but, Tesco have chicken on sale in their basic range, as cooked chunky chicken, PRUDUCE OF THAILAND!!!! I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT. What does this do to our carbon foorprint.?? I have not contacted anyone else on this fact as me speaking to Tesco would be a waste of time. I am 72, bit unwell, but I thought I had to do my bit, contacting you seemed to be the best way. jean james
    Posted by jean James on 26/01/2009 16:20:17
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  57. After Hugh's last free range show I took it one step further and purchased some chickens and a house for free ranging eggs at home. Its a bit of a mine field depending on how much you want to spend but I used a really useful company called the chicken house company ltd who built a fantastic sturdy and British house to my spec and advised on all types of useful things during my first 6 months. Im getting around a dozen eggs a week in the summer from my two chickens which cost very little to keep and they keep all the slugs at bay too! keep up the good work hugh
    Posted by p1chic on 25/01/2009 19:38:01
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  58. Happy to have people like Hugh concerned about chicken welfare. What about one step further and consider welfare at slaughter? Millions of chickens (and cattle and sheep) are slaughtered every year still conscious therefore suffering great pain for "religious" reasons. Time to put a stop to this; next month the European Parliament will discuss slaughter regulations for the Whole of the EU. Please lobby with you local MEP to make this barbaric practice illegal.As Hugh often says our animals deserve a good death after a good life.
    Posted by paola signoretto on 24/01/2009 15:30:09
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  59. Hi there i think its great to see people like Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall doing what his doing - i support him all the way and his certainly changed my eating habits Steve in Dublin.
    Posted by steven o grady on 22/01/2009 16:17:57
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