Asian Food Industry Leaders Commit To Higher Animal Welfare Standards

A number of food industry leaders in Asia have committed to sourcing exclusively cage-free eggs.

A recent corporate animal welfare roundtable hosted by Humane Society International [HSI] brought together representatives from Asian food and hospitality companies, as well as officials from the Indonesian government and representatives from the Indonesian Veterinary Medical Association.

Attendees discussed ‘the global movement towards higher animal welfare supply chains, specifically with respect to cage-free eggs’.

Speakers

Speakers at the roundtable included the head of the Southern Branch of the Vietnamese Department of Livestock Production, Do Huu Phuong, who presented on the Vietnam livestock production sector’s new and growing focus on animal welfare.

Sodexo, one of the largest food service companies in the world, spoke on its global cage-free egg commitment and the steps the company is taking to complete this transition by 2025, including in Indonesia and throughout Asia.

HSI presented on the scientific basis for cage-free egg production, the global trend towards higher animal welfare products, and its partnerships with companies and governments to successfully transition to cage-free egg supply chains and practices.

‘Mission’

Dawn Neo, HSI Corporate Outreach Manager for Farm Animals, said: “We’re thrilled to host Indonesia’s first corporate animal welfare roundtable and bring together forward-thinking companies that are committed to higher animal welfare standards in their supply chains.

“Humane Society International’s mission calls not only for the improved treatment of animals, but for the support of companies as they implement animal welfare policies, and for greater collaboration among various stakeholders.

“We want to help ensure that companies have all of the tools and resources they need to make a cage-free future for laying hens a reality.”

‘Commitment’

Roshith Rajan, Sodexo’s Director of Corporate Responsibility for Asia Pacific, said: “When Sodexo made a worldwide commitment to source cage-free eggs a couple of years ago, we were the first in our sector to do so, in support of responsible and sustainable business practices.

“Today, it is heartening to see more than 200 companies from across industries joining the cage-free movement in making commitments and demonstrating where the market is headed.

“As a company that provides Quality of Life services to millions every day, we aspire to create a better tomorrow for everyone.”