Strong public support in Sweden for phasing out fast-growing chicken breeds
A new public opinion survey by Project 1882 shows that a majority of voters in Sweden support a ban on fast-growing chicken breeds. With national elections taking place in Sweden this year, this should be an obvious policy commitment for political parties that claim to prioritise animal welfare.
The survey examined voters’ attitudes toward animal welfare policies ahead of the upcoming national election in Sweden.
Seven in ten potential voters (69 %) said they want to ban fast-growing chicken breeds, so-called Frankenchickens.
The Swedish citizens are sending a clear message: the systemic suffering that characterises factory farming must come to an end. Setting a clear phase-out date for fast-growing breeds should be a natural policy pledge for parties that prioritise animal welfare.
− Benny Andersson, CEO of Project 1882
Each year, more than 110 million chickens are slaughtered in Sweden, and approximately 99 % of them are Frankenchickens. These chickens are bred to grow so quickly that many experience pain, illness, and premature death. Under Swedish animal welfare legislation, breeding practices that cause suffering are prohibited, yet such breeding and production methods continue.
The issue has recently gained wider public attention through a Swedish national television documentary, highlighting claims by the Swedish Poultry Association, Svensk Fågel, that there is little demand for slower-growing chicken breeds.
However, the survey findings suggest the opposite: Swedish voters increasingly consider animal welfare to be an important issue and believe that fast-growing chicken breeds have no place in the future.
The results show clear expectations for the poultry industry to modernise. The public wants political leadership that drives a transition to higher welfare standards – and this is the moment for policymakers to act on a clear democratic mandate.
− Benny Andersson
The Swedish election will take place in September 2026.
About the survey
The survey was conducted by the Swedish research company Novus on behalf of Project 1882 in November 2025.
Respondents were asked the following question:
“Some chicken breeds have been selectively bred to grow rapidly, with growth rates exceeding 60 grams per day. The European Food Safety Authority recommends that the growth rate of broiler chickens should be limited to a maximum of 50 grams per day, taking animal welfare into account. Do you think Sweden should introduce legislation to ban the farming of fast-growing chicken breeds?”
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