Compassion in World Farming is delighted that international contract caterer Compass Group has today announced a global commitment to go cage-free on all its shell and liquid eggs by 2025.
Nicki Crayfourd, Director of Health, Safety and Environment for Compass Group explains their decision: “Improving the welfare of farm animals is a key focus for our business and we’ve supported the sourcing of cage free eggs since 2009. This commitment marks the next step in our responsible sourcing journey and we look forward to continuing to work together with the Compassion in World Farming team who provide invaluable support and guidance”
In the US, Compass had already made the commitment to source eggs from higher welfare systems, and received a Good Egg Award for this move at the 2016 Good Farm Animal Welfare Awards held by Compassion earlier this year in Berlin. The decision to extend the pledge to its businesses around the rest of the world is hugely welcome and demonstrates leadership on a global scale.
Philip Lymbery, CEO of Compassion in World Farming, said: “I am delighted that Compass has become one of the leading businesses in the cage-free movement. I hope that their commitment to go cage-free globally on all liquid and shell eggs by 2025 will be a catalyst for others to follow their example.
“I couldn’t be more proud of the work of our Food Business team, who continually engage with leading food companies to create positive change for farm animals on a global scale. The phenomenal market shift towards cage-free production we are witnessing this year is exactly what this work aims to achieve.”
Compassion will continue to work with Compass and the food industry at large to ensure the production system changes required to go cage-free will offer the hens a good quality of life in rich and stimulating environments.
Compass’ move follows a summer of cage-free momentum during which many of the UK’s major retailers and a growing number of businesses within the foodservice sector have publicly turned their backs on the cage. These commitments build on decades of work by Compassion in World Farming and other animal welfare NGOs including the Humane Society of the United States, Humane Society International and the Humane League, advocating for better lives for farm animals.