13th Jul 2016 09:15
LONDON (Alliance News) - Tesco PLC on Wednesday said it will stop selling eggs from caged hens by 2025, as part of moves to ensure products are sourced in a sustainable way.
The supermarket chain had conducted a review of its egg sourcing strategy, which included consultation with suppliers, industry experts and key stakeholders.
Currently, 43% of the 1.4 billion eggs sold by Tesco each year come from caged hens, while 57% come from free range or organic methods.
The move comes after Tesco launched its 'Fair for Farmers Guarantee', which ensures British dairy farmers are paid above the cost of production for their fresh milk, even if Tesco drops the price of milk for its customers.
Earlier this year, the retailer also launched its 'Perfectly Imperfect' product line, which is a range of 'wonky' or misshapen fruit and vegetables. Buying fruit and veg like this, which might otherwise be thrown away, means it can buy more crop from farmers and in turn cut down on global food waste.
"Our decision on caged hens is one of a number of Tesco initiatives designed to ensure sustainable sourcing, and improve animal welfare," Commercial Director Matt Simister said in a statement.
"We carried out an extensive and collaborative review with our suppliers and key industry experts to help us work through how best we can move to 100% cage-free eggs. This will ensure we give our supplier partners the certainty they require, to make the significant and necessary investments needed for the new farming systems," he added.
Shares in Tesco were trading up 1.1% at 171.60 pence on Wednesday.
By Karolina Kaminska; [email protected] @KarolinaAllNews
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