Source: Freshlink Farms
We have intensified our efforts to lead to the adoption of Cage-free poultry farming systems in Nigeria. In February 2024, we had promising engagements with several buyers, producers, and corporate players in Ibadan and Lagos on our cage-free advocacy campaigns. These visits initiated a platform for us to promote good animal welfare and sustainable practices within the poultry industry, and also lobby for the uptake of cage-free products by corporate stakeholders in major supermarkets.
To this end, we visited several supermarkets in Ibadan and Lagos, two of Nigeria’s most populous cities and commercial hubs with a significant poultry farming presence. We engaged them in our cause, increasing their awareness of cage-free farming and the need to include cage-free products in their inventory and commit to buying from cage-free farmers only.
Advocacy visits were conducted in 18 major supermarkets including Shoprite (Ibadan and Lagos HQ), Grandex, Foodco, Feedwell, Pinnacle, My Mart, Prince Ebeano, NY, Renee, Spar, FoodCo, Hartleys, Pick and Pay, Jara, Goodies, Grand square, Justrite, Texon, Winni, Home Affairs, and Spar Headquarters. We discussed the value propositions of cage-free products for their supermarkets and how their commitment will promote hen welfare from cruelty and other unethical practices.
The category officers/managers showed great enthusiasm about the cage-free idea and are ready to move the conversation forward in the right direction once we have finalized the process of compiling the list of cage-free farmers in their vicinity. They requested for proposal submissions, welfare guidelines, and samples to inspect prior to stocking, as expected. Issues of standards like barcodes, quality packaging, cleanness of the eggs, and NAFDAC approval were also discussed. Approximately 75% of the 18 supermarkets visited committed to receiving cage-free eggs.
Next Steps
We are committed to building and advancing the commitments made by these important corporate institutions by supporting them with advanced resources, information on welfare standards, and a directory of cage-free farms in their vicinity that they will be happy to purchase from. It is our interest that the well-being of poultry birds is prioritized across the poultry production and supply value chains through the work that we do to advance hen welfare and cage-free farming. We continue to appreciate The Humane League and the Open Wing Alliance for their technical and financial support in the implementation of this project.
