In a striking about-face, Farmfoods has rescinded its promise to eliminate the sale of eggs sourced from caged chickens, making it the singular retailer in the UK to abandon this important welfare commitment.
Initially, back in 2016, the supermarket pledged to be cage-free by the end of 2025, spurred by advocacy from The Humane League UK, which is now rallying support through a petition to oppose what they deem a profound betrayal of ethical standards.
READ MORE FROM THE CAGE FREE CAMPAIGN
George Herd, the chief executive at Farmfoods, explained that the decision stems from a desire to avoid restricting customer access to affordable, nutritious eggs from caged hens.
Stress
This justification rings somewhat hollow when considering that Farmfoods’ caged eggs are priced equally to Aldi’s free-range options. Notably, a staggering 94 percent of the UK populace opposes the use of cages for laying hens.
Claire Williams, campaigns manager at The Humane League UK, critiqued the decision sharply, stating: “The abandonment of Farmfoods’ cage-free pledge constitutes a major misstep by George Herd’s leadership. They now convey to consumers that their concern for animal welfare is dwarfed by profit-maximization motives.”
She elaborated, saying, “We cannot passively watch as Farmfoods confines over one hundred thousand hens enduring severe distress, reneging on promises to consumers purely for financial gain. With 80% of hens across the UK currently cage-free, there’s no reasonable justification left to cling to.”
Indeed, the confinement of hens in cages inhibits them from engaging in essential natural behaviors such as dust-bathing, perching, and wing-flapping. These enriched cages are not only cramped but also poorly lit, generating significant stress for the birds and depriving them of a humane existence.
Petition
Farmfoods generates approximately £1 billion in annual revenue, a portion of which, The Humane League argues, should be allocated towards transitioning hens out of cages.
This announcement follows a contentious episode earlier in the year when Iceland reversed its own commitment, then reinstated it, in a confusing dance of corporate responsibility.
In contrast, major UK retailers like The Co-op, Sainsbury’s, M&S, and Waitrose are either on track to meet their 2025 commitments or have already achieved a 100% cage-free status.
Currently, about seven million hens remain trapped in cages throughout the UK, which severely impacts their wellbeing. Nearly 140,000 hens are expected to be trapped within Farmfoods’ supply chain due to this disappointing reversal.
The Humane League UK is urging Farmfoods to recommit to its original promise and has invited concerned consumers to sign the petition. The Ecologist has reached out for a statement from Farmfoods.
This Author
Brendan Montague is part of the editorial team at The Ecologist online.
