Retailer Iceland has made a U-turn with his broken promise and has promised to go cage-free by 2027, under pressure from animal welfare activists.
The supermarket chain recommends removing cages from the egg supply chain after facing backlash from the Humanitarian League UK for abandoning its original 2025 goal.
Iceland first promised to go cage-free in 2016, citing customer preferences for eggs from uncovered chickens. But earlier this year, retailers have overturned that decision up until now.
Retailer’s renewed covenants apply only to whole shell eggs, not to be used as ingredients in other products.
All other major UK supermarkets are on track to meet the 2025 cageless deadline.
Sean Gifford, Managing Director of Humane League UK, welcomed the new commitment but urged retailers to act faster.
“After breaking its initial promise to stop keeping chickens in cruel cages by 2025, Iceland is finally doing the right thing. Of course, we want to move faster than 2027.
“But we welcome their new commitment and thank all those who took action to make this happen. We mark our words. We will embrace Iceland on this promise and ensure that the hens are not left behind.”
The renewed pledge comes after an extensive campaign by the charity, led by actress Joanna Lumley and signed by more than 70,000 people.
“I believe that the British public is committed to seeing agricultural animals treated with kindness and decency,” Lumley said. “But there is no better symbol of cruelty towards the animals raised.
Activists also held demonstrations at Icelandic stores across the UK, holding protests outside Deeside’s headquarters, increasing public scrutiny.
