These are not rumors; it's what the industry wants to sell us about what it considers animal welfare

In order to promote the continuous improvement of animal welfare and transparency in the industry, the Animal Welfare Observatory has conducted and disseminated various independent studies and research that reveal the realities of the livestock industry, particularly concerning chickens, hens, and fish.

All published research is backed by scientific evidence and recognized criteria in studies on animal welfare and food quality. In this sense, the accusations made by Lidl Spain correspond to a common practice in the industry, as Lidl itself did in December 2024 in Italy with the organization Essere Animali.

Lidl's legal team contacted us earlier this year to request that we cease our information and awareness work. During an engagement meeting, they also asked us to remove posts about Lidl. From OBA, we wanted to know exactly which posts they were referring to and on what grounds the removal was requested. No representative from the company attended the meeting, but they committed through their lawyers to send these specifications in writing, which they never did, despite having been requested on several occasions.

Both white striping myopathy and the presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in meat intended for consumption are directly related to excessive overcrowding and abusive practices and exploitation of animals in industrial farming, particularly chickens.

According to Miriam Martínez, veterinarian and animal welfare manager at OBA:

"At OBA, we have limited ourselves to stating facts to inform consumers and raise awareness about the lack of animal welfare. As an organization, OBA focuses on promoting improvements in the lives of production animals, proposing the elimination of practices that cause the greatest suffering. Our reports and studies primarily focus on the production conditions of birds in industrial farms because they represent a significant issue that needs to be addressed immediately. Major supermarkets share some responsibility, and that is why we ask them to incorporate those improvements into their policies." For instance, OBA has requested that Lidl Spain adopt the ECC (European Chicken Commitment), a minimum agreement that includes measures such as replacing fast-growing chicken breeds with slower-growing ones. This commitment has already been adopted by Lidl in other European countries, such as France.

Finally, Lidl references alleged archived causes of previous complaints made by OBA, and while they claim to be fighting misinformation, they provide half-truths, as one of the reasons these cases are archived is the mere protection of the informants’ anonymity. It is important to note that OBA is firmly committed to protecting the identities of those conducting such investigations to ensure their safety.

In light of these events, we urge Lidl to open a dialogue and review practices that may compromise the welfare of animals. OBA is always willing to collaborate with all parties involved and work together on solutions that benefit both animals and consumers.