World Egg Day Degglaration & Open Letter

On World Egg Day, 9 October, civil society organisations across South Africa and Africa have published a joint Degglaration and Open Letter calling for a more transparent, accountable, ethical and sustainable egg supply chain and food system.

The initiative, titled Protein That Protects the Powers: Cracking Open Power and Protection in South Africa’s Egg Industry, builds on years of collective advocacy for animal protection, environmental justice, human rights and consumer rights.

The Degglaration sets out six core values that should guide South Africa’s food system: animal sentience and dignity, Ubuntu and interconnected justice, transparency and accountability, social justice and equity, diversity and inclusivity, and sustainability and resilience.

The accompanying Open Letter sets out nine joint demands for government, regulators, industry bodies, egg producers, retailers, restaurants and other businesses across the egg supply chain.

These include ending battery cage systems through a legally enforceable phase-out, improving animal welfare standards, ending the routine killing of male chicks, introducing clear production-method labelling, and making industry research and evidence publicly accessible. The letter also calls for fair competition, stronger protection for workers and communities, and greater accountability for misleading animal welfare and sustainability claims.

At the heart of this collective call is the recognition that animal welfare, human wellbeing and environmental protection are interconnected. A just food system must respect animals as sentient beings, protect workers and communities, support diverse and smaller producers, and ensure that the costs of production are not shifted onto society and the environment.

The Degglaration and Open Letter call on those with the greatest power to influence the egg industry to take responsibility and commit to meaningful, measurable change.

Stakeholders addressed in the letter are requested to provide written responses by 9 November 2026, with responses suitable for publication.

Read the Degglaration and Open Letter: Protein That Protects the Powers: World Egg Day Degglaration and Open Letter (PDF)

Together, we can work towards a food system that protects animals, respects people, safeguards the environment and puts justice and accountability at its centre.