Industry Bodies: CGCSA and SAPA, Snub Civil Society’s Call for Dialogue on Egg Industry Reform

The Consumer Goods Council of South Africa (CGCSA) and the South African Poultry Association (SAPA) among other key egg industry roleplayers  declined to participate in a roundtable discussion held on November 26, 2024, aimed at addressing the welfare of millions of egg-laying hens in South Africa. This meeting, organized by civil society and animal welfare organizations, sought to create an open dialogue and platform in relation to transitioning away from cruel battery cages, which currently confine approximately 95% of the country’s 27 million hens.

The session was designed to accommodate diverse perspectives, and discuss a phased, economically viable approach for key egg industry roleplayers including producers and retailers to adopt higher welfare practices and over time commit to move to more sustainable and ethical systems. Despite the invitation to participate in a facilitated discussion, CGCSA and SAPA chose not to attend, raising concerns about their willingness to engage transparently on this issue.

Questionable Justifications and Secrecy

The NGOs, the Southern African Communities Environment Institute (Safcei) and Animal Law Reform South Africa (ALRSA), who invited the industry bodies to the Roundtable understand that in response to the invitation, SAPA described civil society efforts as inconsistent with their Poultry Sector Master Plan. SAPA also apparently told CGCSA that a recent 270-page study by ALRSA on the egg industry is a “serious concern”.

“The ‘Scrambling for the Truth report highlights a troubling lack of accountability and transparency in South Africa’s powerful egg industry,” said Amy P. Wilson, Co-founder and Executive Director of ALRSA. “There are many important issues hidden from public scrutiny, including in relation to animal welfare, environmental impacts, food safety and health concerns, among others. Without this information, consumers are constrained in their ability to make informed and empowered decisions. In addition to freedom of choice, practices occurring within the egg supply chain impact various other constitutional rights of the public, underscoring the need for urgent reform.”

A Missed Opportunity?

Battery cages are a form of intensive / industrial animal agriculture that have been long criticized for their cruelty and risks to public health, and are being phased out worldwide. More than 30 countries and hundreds of global hotels, restaurants and other food companies have committed to 100% cage-free systems, aligning with consumer demand for ethical and sustainable practices, and tourist expectations when they visit South Africa. 86% of global companies operating in Africa have cage-free commitments that apply to their operations in all countries, yet the South African egg industry has systematically blocked discussing a transition and provides an array of excuses for not exploring this transition. SAPA and CGCSA’s refusal to engage constructively with organisations representing the public interest, puts South Africa at risk of falling behind and affecting the quality of eggs available.

Civil Society’s Commitment

Despite the failure to participate and engage in the session  by industry bodies, civil society remains committed to working with all stakeholders to create a more humane and sustainable egg industry.

“We have practical solutions that consider economic realities and public interest, phasing out cages for hens in a considered way, that will represent a win for egg consumers, hens and the environment. Our objective is to ensure cage-free eggs are affordable and accessible for everyone in South Africa, without compromising on welfare for these millions of hens.” said Francesca de Gasparis, Executive Director of SAFCEI. “This latest refusal to come to the table only strengthens our resolve.”