Walmart to go cage-free

Published 06/04/2016

We are delighted that Walmart, the largest grocer in the US, is the latest retailer to announce its commitment to switch to 100% cage-free eggs by 2025. This new policy is set to improve the lives of many millions of hens.

Compassion USA is proud to partner with Walmart on this effort along with other animal protection groups, including the Humane Society of the United States and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Firm ripple effects

Leah Garces, Compassion USA’s Director, said: “We applaud Walmart for their progress and commitment to improve the lives of farm animals in their supply chain.

“As the largest retailer in the US, Walmart’s move will have firm ripple effects reaching far beyond our borders, where retailers are starting to fall behind”

No excuse

If the world’s largest retailer can rid its supply chain of whole eggs from caged hens, there is simply no excuse for companies in other countries not to follow suit. However, many UK retailers are not opting to go cage-free.

Although barren battery cages are outlawed in the EU, enriched cages are still legal, and used in the supply chain for whole eggs of a number of UK retailers including Tesco, Morrison’s, Aldi and Lidl and Asda.

Despite being owned by Walmart, Asda, the second largest supermarket in Britain, has yet to commit to phasing out cages for hens.

Our CEO, Philip Lymbery said: “It’s bewildering that a subsidiary of an American company with a cage-free egg commitment, based in a country known for its leadership on farm animal welfare policies, has yet to make its own cage-free pledge.”

“Walmart’s announcement proves companies can do better for hens not just in the USA, but across the world.”