South Africa: Woolworths receives animal welfare award

Woolworths has become the first African retailer to receive the international Good Egg Award from international farm animal welfare organisation Compassion in World Farming (Compassion), Fastmoving reports.

The retailer is said to have received the award for its ongoing commitment to leading the free range egg category in South Africa. The Good Egg Award recognises organisations that have a written policy to source only cage-free eggs or egg products.

Fast Moving reported that Woolworths had responded to customer concern and was the country’s first retailer to exclusively sell free range eggs in cartons and after a nearly a decade remains the only retailer to do so.

Commenting on the award, Compassion CEO Philip Lymbery said, “I am so pleased to be able to congratulate Woolworths in this way. Farm animal welfare is rising up the agenda across the world, and with this award we’re recognising the leading role Woolworths is playing in Africa to secure better conditions for laying hens. The Good Egg Award is a sign to its customers that their animal welfare concerns are taken seriously and the nearly half a million hens that produce their eggs are raised to higher welfare standards”.

Zyda Rylands, Woolworths Managing Director of Food said, “We are very proud because this award recognises our commitment to animal welfare and ethical sourcing. Our work with free range eggs, informed by ongoing consultation and engagement with animal welfare organisations, is only one aspect of the Woolworths Good Business Journey”.

Source: Fastmoving