Co-op AGM 2024: Demonstration of Support for Chicken Welfare, & Democracy

We need your support! 96% of qualified members voted to end Co-op's cruel use of fast-growing 'Frankenchickens' at the 2023 Co-op AGM - but one year on, the Board has failed to meaningfully act. Co-op members who want to see an end to Frankenchicken abuse are tired of being ignored. That's why I invite you to join me for a peaceful demonstration outside the AGM this year. We must take a stand. Not only for the chickens, but for Co-op democracy too.

Why this protest?

• The vast majority of chickens that Co-op sell are are fast-growing ‘Frankenchickens’ that live short, miserable lives, ridden with health problems, disease, and pain.
• Due to their specific breed, they suffer from higher rates of health problems like heart attacks, organ failure, breathing issues, and lameness - often leading to them to lying in their own waste causing burns to their skin.
• They are bred to grow so big, so fast, that they reach slaughter age at just 35 days old.
• There is a solution called the Better Chicken Commitment, but Co-op are refusing to sign up to it despite being asked to repeatedly by its members.

What to expect:

• Join us outside the AGM for a peaceful presence - even if you can only join us for a short time, your support would be incredibly welcome and valuable, feel free to stop by!
• You are welcome to bring your own handmade placards (I can share some top tips on this soon!)
• This will be a non-confrontational, peaceful event - we are there to show Co-op the gravity of this issue; anyone not acting respectfully may be asked to leave
• Photographs will be taken at the event, but you will be able to avoid being in these (let an Organiser know if you'd prefer to be out of any photos)
• Dress code: dress suitably for the weather, aim for smart casual (the AGM is a professional space so we'd love to look relatively smart!) and if you have anything blue to wear, please do; at the members' protest last year we all wore blue t-shirts/shirts/jumpers to mirror Co-op's blue branding and it looked really cool!
• Bring a packed lunch or you can walk to a local shop to grab something!

Why now?

As a Co-op member myself, when I saw 30,000 other members had voted so overwhelmingly against this cruelty this time last year, I felt inspired and hopeful. But instead of taking action to improve the lives of the millions of chickens Co-op raises for meat each year, the Board are ignoring members' wishes to see an end to these cruel breeds - a huge betrayal of Co-op's ethical and democratic values. As if this wasn't enough, the Independent then published some of the most disgusting chicken cruelty footage I've ever seen - and it comes from farms linked to Co-op.

That's why I am organising this protest. By coming together outside the Co-op AGM in Manchester, we can send a powerful message to Co-op leadership that Co-op members care about animals and democracy, and that the Board must reconsider their decision. We're asking them to stop selling Frankenchickens. They can't just ignore their members while claiming to be a cooperative, and a 'pioneering' one at that.

The protest will be peaceful and friendly, with the goal of showing the Board the depth of feeling that I know many of us share on this issue. It's an opportunity to show that Co-op members, when we care about an issue, we take it seriously, and we don't expect Co-op to brush our votes and voices under the carpet.

Dozens of people have already signed up to join me outside the AGM and it would be amazing if you could come along too.

Hoping to see you there,

Hannah Dickson, Co-op member and animal lover (and I recorded this short video to say hello and to properly introduce myself!)

Want to attend?

This event is open to anyone who cares about animals and wants to see Co-op end their cruel use of Frankenchickens. If you are a member, I'd love to have you there, please bring your blue Co-op membership card with you to snap a photo of us all holding them! If you're not a Co-op member, you're still more than welcome to join us. It's also very quick and easy to become a Co-op member.

And why not bring a friend with you? The more the merrier.

This site should be accessible for wheelchair users but if you would like to double check your accessibility needs please reach out.

RSVP by clicking 'reserve a spot' for a "free ticket" to receive full details and let us know you’re coming - I will then be in touch with more information!.

See you there!

Hannah x

PS the photos above are from the previous members protest I organised outside the Co-op HQ in August 2023. If you joined me then too, I'd love to see you again!

PPS you may have seen Co-op has started selling "Space To Thrive" chicken. This gives Frankenchickens more space to move, but doesn't address the key issue of breed. And that's why we won't give up until they fully commit to the Better Chicken Commitment and abolish the use of Frankenchickens for good.

PPPS! Are you a qualified Co-op member who was already planning on attending the AGM but want to support? Please get in touch with Laurie at The Humane League UK at lwills@thehumaneleague.org.uk (and you can check if you're qualified and eligible to attend here).