Peach Pub Company raises money for Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall

Caterer Adopted Business Peach Pub Company has asked its customers to support Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall in his battle with Tesco.

Fearnley-Whittingstall was told he must pay Tesco £86,000 to put his concerns about chicken welfare to the supermarket's shareholders and Peach is urging its punters to donate funds to help the chef reach the total.

The money will cover the cost of submitting papers to shareholders, after Tesco said that the River Cottage presenter had submitted documents about a proposal at the retail giant's annual general meeting that would force suppliers to improve conditions for birds too late.

Fearnley-Whittingstall has until Wednesday to come up with the cash and Peach, which operates nine pubs throughout the Midlands, has asked regulars yesterday to donate a minimum of £5 to help.

Hamish Stoddart, co-founder of Peach, said: "Three years ago we stopped using battery chickens and eggs in our pubs. Like River Cottage's Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, we believe strongly in the welfare of animals bred for the table.

"Hugh and the River Cottage team have got so far; we can't let them fall at this stupid, bureaucratic hurdle."

For full details on the campaign go to www.chickenout.tv/

If you wish to donate you can do by going to www.ciwf.org.uk/join/tesco-challenge/

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall calls on industry to switch to free-range poultry >>

Peach on the ethical sourcing of food >>

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall to fight against ‘bullying' supermarkets >>

Restaurateurs must improve animal welfare policies >>

By Christopher Walton

E-mail your comments to Christopher Walton here.