THE CHANGE IS HAPPENING
Egg production in Latin America continues to grow annually.
Eliminating cages in the food and egg industries will impact the lives of millions of hens.
Yes, We Are Changing:
Cage-free egg production in Latin America has gained momentum in recent years.
Many companies and producers have adopted cage-free production policies in response to increasing consumer demand for better animal welfare practices.
These commitments come from various sectors, including hospitality, restaurants, food producers, and supermarkets.
IN 2023 SINERGIA ANIMAL AND OTHER NGOs HELPED ACHIEVE:
29
companies have already achieved 100% implementation of their commitment in Latin America.
23
companies have joined the list of committed companies this year.
WHY ARE BATTERY CAGES CRUEL?
Lack of space
Up to 12 birds can be crammed into a small cage. This often means that each bird has less space than a letter-sized sheet of paper to spend her life.
Frustration
The birds cannot engage in natural behaviors such as fully extending their wings, walking freely, or nesting. This constant inability to express their instincts leads to frustration.
Pain
Caged hens are more prone to bone diseases like osteoporosis, making them susceptible to painful fractures and deformities.
Death and filth
Sometimes, dead hens are left to rot for days, forcing the surviving birds to live among decomposing bodies. Hens often also have to endure living with piles of feces beneath the cages.
Public health
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has concluded that facilities using cage systems have a higher prevalence of Salmonella than cage-free systems.
Cage-free systems can significantly reduce animal suffering. In these systems, hens live in pens (with or without access to outdoor areas) and have access to enriched environments, such as hay for foraging and perches for resting.
WHAT DOES CAGE-FREE MEAN?
An increasing number of companies have committed to abandoning the cruel battery-cage system, which has been used in the egg industry for decades. It is referred to as a commitment when they publish a policy on their website, social media, or other media outlets.
To truly benefit these animals, cage-free commitments must include all products that contain eggs, whether produced in-house or sourced from third parties.
This encompasses any form of eggs (in-shell/fresh, liquid, powdered, or as an ingredient) used or sold by the committed company.
Companies should report their progress in implementation to ensure transparency and accountability. If they fail to meet these commitments, they must be held accountable to make real changes.
1
​The company uses eggs (of any type) in its products, or sells eggs.
2
a. The company publishes a cage-free commitment stating that it will only use or sell eggs from cage-free farms.
b. When a company is reluctant to publish a policy, NGOs like Sinergia Animal engage in dialogue and awareness campaigns to encourage them to make a commitment.
3
The company begins to implement and gradually progresses toward 100% cage-free egg sourcing within a specified timeframe, reporting on this progress periodically (at least annually) via Sinergia Animal’s questionnaire, its website, or a sustainability report.
60.14% of all current cage-free policies in Latin America have a deadline of 2025, but 38.55% of these companies have not reported on their implementation progress or compliance with their commitments.
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These companies must take urgent action and be more transparent.
Together, we can create a more humane and sustainable food system by collaborating with producers, companies, and consumers in Latin America.
