SAFCEI’s campaign lead, Mandla Gqamlana says that popular SA restaurants in the Famous Brands group – such as Wimpy, Mugg & Bean, Steers, and House of Coffees, among others – will be targeted. The goal, he adds, is to ensure that the sourcing of cage-free eggs forms part of the group’s policy, for all franchisees.
“Battery cage farming subjects hens to unnecessary cruelty, distress, discomfort and extreme pain. The hens spend their entire lives in a wire box the size of an A4 paper and never see sunlight or take a breath of fresh air. They end up suffering from diseases, feather loss and broken bones, as a result of being confined in these cages. This is the life of hens that produce the eggs that we, the consumer, end up eating.”
Hens lay egg after egg with no space to spread their wings, nest, walk or perch. SAFCEI states that the hens’ laying cycles are manipulated through starvation, to increase production, and in South Africa, it is also standard practice to de-beak hens.
“We have engaged Famous Brands management team since last year, but they have only given a number of excuses for not being able to make the transition. However, we cannot accept this. If McDonalds South Africa can commit to going cage-free, why can’t they?”
“Think about Wimpy, for example, which currently has 478 stores around the country. Can you imagine the amount of eggs consumed every year? And, if we are what we eat, how can we expect our nation to happy from eggs that are produced with such violence?”
“While the organisation cites integrity, innovation and quality as some of its core beliefs, and also pride themselves on their supplier relationships, Famous Brands is yet to use its influence to ensure humane animal welfare standards – which will provide the quality of food its consumers deserve.”
In its code of ethics, the organisation acknowledges its responsibility toward the environment and claims to be “committed to minimising adverse environmental impacts and seeking opportunities to improve performance.” Famous Brands also claims to value ethical leadership – which should anticipate and prevent any negative consequences its activities could have on the environment.
According to SAFCEI, battery farming also contributes to an increase in Salmonella-infected eggs, and is a cause of air and water pollution. On the other hand, the NGO states that ethical farming practices mean healthier hens and better quality eggs, and since it also requires more manpower, it will create more jobs.
“SAFCEI is challenging Famous Brands to leverage its influence in its supply chain and demand ethically farmed produce, such as hens that are cage-free.”
