Hailing the decision by support services firm Sodexo of sourcing only “cage-free” eggs, an animal rights body today said the move will send a message that the future of egg production in India is “cage-free”. Humane Society International (HSI) India said egg-laying hens are often confined for their whole lives in wire battery cages. The use of conventional battery cages for laying hens is banned or being phased out under laws or regulations throughout the European Union, five US states, New Zealand and Bhutan.
The majority of states in India, the world’s third largest egg producer, have declared that the use of battery cages violates the country’s animal welfare legislation and the country is debating a national ban. HSI said that Sodexo announced has that it will source only “cage-free” eggs for its global liquid and shell egg supply chain by 2025.
“Consumers care about the way animals are treated to produce our food and we applaud Sodexo for taking these concerns seriously by committing to only procuring ‘cage-free’ eggs. We look forward to working with more companies on similar policies,” sais N G Jayasimha, managing director, HSI India.
(PTI)