To allow food brands to find a date that works for them, the regional version doesn’t have a set deadline of 2026 (Europe) or 2024 (US/Canada) for full implementation. The specific deadline for full compliance with the BCC is agreed upon with each food business before they announce their BCC commitment publicly.
The Australia-NZ BCC allows for new breeds to be tested by the RSPCA UK and additional testing bodies validated by the Better Chicken Commitment, allowing more flexibility to undertake welfare testing of new breeds.
The Australia-New Zealand BCC includes a requirement for six hours of darkness, with four hours of it being continuous, in a 24-hour rhythm. This is already covered by laws in other regions but not in New Zealand.
Part of the Open Wing Alliance, a global coalition of more than 80 organisations, we work to end the abuse of farmed animals by advocating for effective change.