Egg Farmers, Grocers Differ On Cages For Hens

Egg Farmers of Canada says the industry is transitioning away from conventional egg production.

But that move may not be enough to meet the push from the country’s grocery retailers.

The Retail Council of Canada’s grocery members say they want to be buying cage-free eggs by the end of 2025.

Those members include Loblaw, Sobeys and Wal-mart.

However, Egg Farmers of Canada says a growing body of scientific evidence points to the benefits of enriched housing, which means larger cages.

Both sides say they support the work of the National Farm Animal Care Council, which is working on a review of the Code of Practices for the egg industry.

EFC suggests a code that takes into account what the egg industry has proposed to be realistic will be stronger than something developed without taking that into account.