Poland lagging in cage-free hen commitments

A review of 5 European nations commitment to ending the raising of layers in cages has found that Poland is struggling to keep up with western European nations.

The latest Compassion in World Farming Egg Track report looked at how companies in the UK, France, Italy, Spain and Poland were progressing towards being cage-free by 2025.

Poland

It found that in Poland, less than a third (30%) of the market is cage-free and that there were just 2 companies that were classed as leaders – those that had reached 100% cage-free. These are Biedronka and Group Zabka. There are 5 classified as ‘in progress’ (on track to reach 100% by 2025), including Carrefour and Lidl.

Spain

The cage-free market in Spain is currently marginally higher than Poland (33%) with 3 leaders listed – GB Foods, Grupo Avicola Rujamar and Lidl Spain.

Italy

The cage-free market is twice as many in Italy (66%) with 11 companies reaching the milestone, including Barilla, Aldi Italy and Lidl Italy being recognised with a further 7 in progress, including Carrefour Italy, Ferrero and Gruppo Selex. There are, however, 5 that are listed as laggards (have a commitment but are not reporting or have regressed on their progress).

France

In France, where 70% of the market is already cage-free, 10 companies are recognised as leaders, including Danone Group, Pret a Manger and McDonald’s France, while 9 are in progress, including Aldi France, Groupe Casino and LDC. But 12 are cited as at risk and 9 as laggards.

The UK

The UK is leading the way 3 quarters of the market (75%) cage-free. Of the 40 companies under the spotlight, 19 were described as leaders, including Waitrose, Marks and Spencer, Sainsbury’s, Co-op, Greggs, McDonald’s and Pizza Express, while 7 are in progress, including Tesco and Whitbread. Meanwhile, Asda and Lidl are among those at risk and One Stop, Greene King and Spar (UK) listed as laggards.

A call on the government

Commenting on the report, Dr Tracey Jones, global director of Food Business at Compassion in World Farming, said the report highlighted which businesses are on track to meet next year’s cage-free deadline, which have either met or are making progress, and those that are missing the deadline.

Jones called on the UK government to take action: “It must step up and enact legislation that supports market transition and drives the change needed for all food companies to only source and sell cage-free eggs and ends the production of caged eggs in the UK once and for all.”