I am grateful for Mercy For Animals’ work in highlighting the unacceptable lack of progress in cage-free hens in Canada, as outlined in their new report, Beyond the Commitment: Evaluating Cage-Free Progress Across the Canadian Retail Sector.
As the report demonstrates, Canada’s percentage of cage-free hens (20%) lags behind global standards, including those of the US (45%), Australia (62%), and the EU (82%).
This failure to meet the most basic standards of the agricultural industry highlights the lack of governance and transparency in Canada’s food system. The reality is that there are no federal standards for farm animal welfare.
To quote a former farm worker, “You don’t need to be an animal advocate to believe in cage-free hens”. It is clear to any typical individual who visits these operations that caged hens are unacceptable.
It is not a matter of if, but when cage-free hens become required by law. The agricultural industry can do itself a favour by taking steps forward and becoming a leader, rather than watching itself lose the trust of consumers and face greater regulation at a far higher cost.
Allison Penner is the Executive Director of Reimagine Agriculture. She drives collaborative solutions to key challenges in Canada’s food system, focusing on food tech, cultivated meat, food waste reduction, and plant-based food systems through policy development, public education, and media commentary on a forward-thinking agricultural future.
