Request for Quote: Development of an alternate welfare standard for the Australian chicken meat industry

The viability of the Australian chicken meat industry depends on maintaining good health, welfare, and biosecurity outcomes. Animal welfare is a high priority, with the industry committed to best practices ensuring chickens are healthy, comfortable, and able to express natural behaviours. Approximately 95% of Australia’s meat chickens are grown under third-party welfare accreditation schemes like the RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme and Free Range Egg and Poultry Australia (FREPA) standards. These standards, aim to provide optimal living conditions and humane treatment throughout the supply chain. These requirements are subject to constant internal monitoring programs, as well as regular external assessment and audit processes.

This request for quote is seeking the development of an alternate industry welfare standard (for third-party accreditation) that delivers the Australian chicken meat industry with a welfare standard promoting genuine welfare improvements while being practical, science-based, economically sustainable and aligned with industry and community expectations.

The output delivered should contain detail including standards and associated performance indicators for areas such as, but not limited to:

• Hatchery requirements
• Welfare management requirements
• Biosecurity requirements
• Processing requirements
• Flock/Bird health requirements
• Housing and husbandry
• Transport and handling
• Traceability

The standards developed should:

• Be outcomes-based targets that are scientifically validated
• Consider the identification of relevant regulatory and industry standards (including international standards
• Include a scientific literature review
• Consider the commercial implementation of standards
• Be able to adapt to industry changes
• Promote awareness and compliance within industry
• Include/demonstrate extensive industry and technical expertise consultation
• Identify governance structures and processes required to support the monitoring and evaluation of the standards
• Be independently verifiable

The indicative timeframe of completion of the project from commencement is a maximum of nine months.

Contact

Should you have any questions about the Open Call, please direct all enquires to Stacey Gardiner, Acting Manager, Chicken Meat Program prior to Monday, 17 November 2025 (for questions relating to making a submission in K2, please email helpdesk@agrifutures.com.au).

The Manager will take questions via email. Individual responses to questions relating to the Open Call will not be provided by the Manager. A response, along with the question, will be posted in the Frequently Asked Questions section, below, within 24 hours of receival.

Please contact:

Stacey Gardiner

Acting Manager, Chicken Meat Program

Email: chickenmeat@agrifutures.com.au

Phone: 0447 036 709