A message from Europe: Lidl Sweden, the time to act is now

Lidl is one of Europe’s largest retailers, with approximately 12,800 stores across more than 30 countries. With that reach comes great responsibility – and a powerful opportunity to improve the lives of millions of animals. While other countries have taken meaningful steps to improve chicken welfare, Lidl Sweden continues to turn a blind eye – despite having the power to make a difference. 

– Lidl Sweden has previously claimed they need a Europe-wide decision to act, but that excuse no longer holds. Lidl stores in three other countries have already proven it’s possible to make their own responsible decisions. Now it’s time for Lidl Sweden to step up and do the same, says Benny Andersson, CEO of Project 1882.  

For a long time, Project 1882 has sought dialogue with Lidl, urging them to say no to Frankenchickens – chickens bred to grow so rapidly that they suffer pain, illness, and often premature death. Despite repeated efforts, Lidl Sweden has shown little interest in improving the conditions for these animals. 

Now, several European animal rights groups have joined forces in a video message to Lidl Sweden. Sébastien de Jonge from GAIA in Belgium, Ambre Bernard from L214 in France, and Catharina Rubel from the Albert Schweitzer Foundation in Germany urge the Swedish grocery chain to take responsibility. 

Lidl cannot claim to care about animal welfare in one country and ignore it in another. When fast-growing broiler chickens are banned from Lidl’s shelves in Belgium because they cause extreme suffering, how can that same suffering be acceptable in Sweden? Lidl Belgium chose to break with this cruelty. That was not a marketing move but a moral decision, which we applaud. The question is not whether Sweden can afford to follow, it’s whether you can justify not doing so. Now it’s your turn to act, not because others are watching, but because it’s the right thing to do.
– Sébastien de Jonge, CEO of GAIA. 

The time to act is now. Lidl Sweden can no longer hide behind decisions made elsewhere. Lidl France said no to Frankenchickens in 2020 by adopting the European Chicken Commitment, Belgium followed in 2021, and Germany made the decision in 2025. Now, Lidl Sweden – and all Swedish retailers – are urged to follow suit. 

 – It’s not enough to claim that they sell chickens from Sweden. Frankenchickens suffer the same way in Sweden as they do elsewhere, yet Lidl Sweden continues to ignore the horrific conditions repeatedly exposed on Swedish chicken farms, concludes Benny Andersson.