Allen Simpson, CEO of UKHospitality, which represents some of the restaurant brands who have withdrawn from the BCC, said despite the change the businesses are "committed to enhancing their ongoing work across welfare and the environment".
The eight businesses, owning or franchising 18 leading restaurant chains, have instead joined the industry-led Sustainable Chicken Forum (SCF).
Some of the brands include include Popeyes, Wingstop, and Wagamama.
The SCF said businesses "no longer believe the BCC is the right framework to drive the next phase of progress on welfare due to the requirement to source only slower-growing breeds".
It argued that farming slower-growing breeds produce more greenhouse gas emissions than farming faster-growing breeds.
UKHospitality said the SCF will focus on increasing welfare while limiting the environmental impact of chicken farming and keeping up with demand.
KFC in 2024 said it was rescinding its commitment to phase out buying fast-growing chicken, but the decision on Thursday withdrew from the Better Chicken Commitment entirely.
The BBC understands the famous chicken chain owned by Yum Brands buys about 4% of the UK chicken supply. An industry source said there is not yet a large enough supply of slower-growing poultry in the UK.
However, animal welfare group Anima International said the change was "about money and nothing else".
Its UK chief executive Connor Jackson said the companies' explanation for leaving is rubbish.
... continue reading