Most of the egg sector in the U.K. has converted to cage-free housing, according to animal welfare group Compassion in World Farming’s 2024 Egg Track report.
The animal welfare group said the report demonstrates progress in cage-free conversions, which is driven by customers fulfilling their commitments. The EggTrack report highlights which customers in each region are 100% cage free, over 80%, less than 80% and companies that are either not reporting or not meeting their commitments.
While approximately 77% of UK egg producers have switched to cage-free production, 70% of producers in France have converted, followed by Italy at 66%, Spain at 33% and Poland at 30%, according to the report.
UK, Italy lead in meeting cage-free pledges
According to the report, 19 of the 40 reporting companies in the UK use 100% cage-free eggs and egg products. In Italy, 48% of the 23 reporting companies use 100% cage-free sources, followed by France at 25% with 40 reporting companies, Spain at 25% with 12 reporting companies and Poland at 13% with 16 reporting companies.
In Poland, 31% of the companies are over 80% cage free, followed by Italy at 30%, the UK at 28%, Spain at 25% and France at 23%.
Some of the European companies in the report that have met their 100% cage-free pledges include Burger King UK, Costa Coffee, McDonalds UK, Aldi Italia, Bennet and Chef Express.
Cage-free deadlines are coming soon for many
2025 marks the deadline for many companies in Europe to complete their cage-free transitions.
The animal welfare group said the intent of the report is to assist food companies, industry stakeholders, investors and consumers in making decisions and implementing the processes that will help companies meet these deadlines. Additionally, it said the report is intended to support producers and customers and encourage meaningful dialogue on sourcing and delivering cage-free eggs.
The group also mentions that a lack of cage-free legislation in Europe is a major reason as to why some companies have not met their commitments yet.
To give U.S. and Canadian producers understanding on cage-free progress, Compassion said it is creating a EggTrack report for the two countries that will include similar key metrics and updates on cage-free egg progress from companies and industry insight.
