New Report Urges Action as Companies Fall Behind on 2025 Animal Welfare Pledge
50 companies report no or insufficient progress in implementing their commitments to stop using battery-cage eggs, reveals NGO study
NEW DELHI, Nov. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Sinergia Animal's latest Cage-Free Tracker report reveals that many companies in Asia are unlikely to meet their commitments to eliminate the use of battery-cage eggs by 2025. The NGO surveyed 78 companies across India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, and Thailand and found that 50 of them risk falling short of their pledges to stop using this controversial system, which is already banned in many countries.
"Asia is the world's largest egg producer. Millions of hens are confined in cages where they can't walk, spread their wings, or engage in natural behaviors. This is unacceptable," said Among Pakrosa, Director of Sinergia Animal in Indonesia. "We're calling on these companies to honor their promises to switch to cage-free systems by 2025."
Companies Falling Short: Red and Orange Flags
The NGO categorizes companies into two groups:
- Red Flags: Companies with 2025 cage-free commitments but no reporting on their progress.
- Orange Flags: Companies that report progress elsewhere but not in Asia.
Well-known companies, including Best Western, Millennium & Copthorne Hotels, Au Bon Pain, and Subway, fall into these categories. "There's still time for them to act, but the clock is ticking. We encourage consumers to hold these companies accountable," said Pakrosa.
Positive Signs from Some Companies
On a brighter note, 34.61% (27 out of 78 companies) of the companies analyzed have shared their progress in Asian countries, and 2 companies fully transitioned to cage-free eggs in Asia or nationally within Asia. Well-known brands, including Groupe Le Duff, Hain Celestial Group, and The Hershey Company lead the way in India or Asia.
"This growing transparency shows a positive trend toward better animal welfare and increased consumer trust," added Pakrosa.
The report also highlights progress among egg producers in Thailand and Indonesia. Out of 50 producers surveyed, 11 (22%) have already transitioned to 100% cage-free production.
Cage-Free Momentum Grows in Asia
Asia, which produces 64% of the world's eggs, is gradually shifting away from cages. Bhutan, China, Indonesia, and Thailand have already implemented cage-free standards, and over 2,600 companies worldwide, including 318 in Asia, have committed to going cage-free.
For more details, visit www.cagefreetracker.com/asia.
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