LSG commits to cage-free eggs by 2025
LSG Group announces its commitment to make the company’s entire egg supply chain cage-free by 2025. The move comes as the Group promotes responsible sourcing and more ethical animal welfare practices.
“We want to direct our focus to sustainability topics that are central to our business and where we can also make an impact at the same time,” said CEO of the LSG Group Erdmann Rauer, in a recent press release. “In doing so, it is important to understand precisely how these topics are linked to our operations and our broader value chain. Our cage-free egg pledge is clearly a factor in this process. We expect our suppliers to have the same high standards our customers expect from us.”
LSG group’s network of wholly owned facilities will only purchase eggs and egg products that adhere to certified animal welfare standards. The minimum welfare standard for these purchases will be certified as barn-laid or cage-free eggs, hence the hens that lay these eggs cannot be kept in cages.
While there are challenges in ensuring suppliers comply with stringent procurement standards, the Group says it is committed to its pledge. The company understands that there are higher costs for suppliers and farmers in producing cage-free eggs, and it may take time to transition to cage-free production.
“Our objective is to develop a coordinated approach that will allow us to creatively cooperate with our customers and suppliers in making our cage-free policy a shared standard along our supply chain,” added Simon Frischemeier, Head of Sustainability Management and Chief of Staff to the CEO at the LSG Group.
In partnership with the non-profit group Mercy for Animals, the LSG Group is committed to collaborating with its suppliers and associates to develop more humane methods for producing eggs, with the aim of achieving its objective by 2025. Mercy for Animals is dedicated to preventing the mistreatment of animals on farms and promoting ethical food practices and policies.
“With this global cage-free egg commitment, the LSG Group is charting an influential path forward by banning cages for laying hens in its global egg supply chain and even investigating egg alternatives to build supply-chain resiliency,” stated Zoë Sigle, Senior Global Corporate Engagement Manager at Mercy for Animals.