�������������FLEAT Malawi Presentation - �06 March 2024 - Cage-Free Eggs Campaign�

About SAFCEI

In line with SAFCEI’s faith approach, how humans relate to fellow sentient beings, we believe that egg laying hens should be treated with compassion and kindness. Campaigns to stop businesses from caging hens also creates an opportunity to educate faith communities on animal welfare.

About SAFCEI

At SAFCEI we believe no matter what food we choose to eat, life does come from life. Awareness of the quality of the life we absorb will lead us not only to a deeper relationship with and understanding of the life force that supports our continued existence on earth but also to a deeper reverence for the right of all living beings to a good life.

Open Wing Alliance and SAFCEI

Initiated by The Humane League, the Open Wing Alliance brings 100+ member organizations together to create a unified front in our goal to end the abuse of chickens worldwide. We share campaign strategies, tactics, and resources around the world in the march toward our shared objective.

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Our first step toward achieving this ambitious goal is eliminating

battery cages from our world, and we’re working towards achieving that vision, one cage-free policy at a time.

In cases where the cage-free campaign is essentially

complete in certain countries, OWA has started creating resources and giving grants to support campaigns that improve the lives of chickens raised for meat.

Why do we do this?

• Battery cages cause suffering by depriving hens of their most basic needs: nests, perches, and enough space to move around.
• The Humane Society reports that, on average, each caged laying hen is afforded less space than a single sheet of A4-sized paper on which to live her entire life. Unable even to spread their wings, caged laying hens are among the most intensively confined animals in agriculture. Numerous scientists and other experts have spoken clearly about these problems with battery cages.
• Our campaign calls for the end the use of cages for egg-laying hens. Cage-free systems improve the lives of hens significantly and cause less harm to them and the environment. (and Male Chicks). We are requesting all in the food industry to commit to transitioning to cage-free eggs as soon as possible but by no later than 2025
• All people, regardless of economic ability, should have the right to eat eggs produced by healthy hens.

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Why do we do this (cont.)

• Lack of physical and psychological space for the hens,
• 87% of South Africa’s layer hens are confined to cages the size of an A4 sheet of paper.
• Industry has made no movement in two decades to move layer hens out of cages. Only 1% of the national flock is cage-free and 4 % is free-range.
• Approximately 86% of the eggs used in South African hotels, restaurants and retailers come from hens that are confined to cages.
• Removing hens from cages will ensure higher-quality eggs and protect consumers from health risks such as salmonella and zoonotic diseases like Avian Flu for hens.
• Eliminating cages allows the hens that lay our eggs to move more freely; perch, spread their wings, dust bathe, access nest boxes, interact with their flock; as nature intended and enjoy a healthier life free from a cramped cage.

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�Key points:

Health Implications

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Environmental Impacts

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AND

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Because this

is not acceptable!!��Zoonitic disease, the highly �Pathogenic avian influenza�(HPAI).

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Cage Free Eggs Commitments;

� What, How and Why?

Campaign Updates

• Pick ‘n Pay engagement
• Nandos is reporting on their global cage-free eggs commitment progress.
• Our cage-free events: Social Media Advocacy Workshop & Cage-Free Community Indaba.

Notable campaign wins so far

So what can you – as people of faith do? Join our EarthKeepers Network.

The good news:

• As Faith Leaders you can make a difference: Join SAFCEI’s efforts to stop this abuse of Chickens
• Join the EarthKeepers network and help us protect the environment.
• SAFCEI will be celebrating companies who have gone cage-free and you can support this by sharing our social media posts and tagging those who have gone cage-free.
• There will be further campaigns this year to take part in – looking forward to having you participate with us!

THANK YOU.