BP has foot on the gas towards cage-free future

SAFE is applauding BP for being the first petrol and retail outlet in New Zealand to jump on board with the international cage-free egg movement. Being quick off the mark, whole cage eggs are already off the shelves across all 98 stores nationwide.

BP in Poland adopted similar cage-free egg policy earlier this year, making BP in New Zealand the second territory in the world to embrace the trend within the global petrol brand.

After working with SAFE on this policy, Adrian McClellan, GM Retail & Assets says, “Responsible sourcing is extremely important to us at BP, and I’m proud to confirm that our customers can now purchase cage-free eggs at BP Connect stores across New Zealand.”

Earlier this year, retail outlets FreshChoice and SuperValue, owned by Countdown, also confirmed cage-free policy, following moves from Foodstuffs and Progressive. This brought all major New Zealand supermarket chains together, united against the cruelty of cage-eggs. By 2027 at the latest, there will be no cage eggs left on any supermarket shelves.

“We’re looking at the end of an antiquated industry; caging hens is archaic and outdated. Public acceptance has ended on this shameful treatment of hens. As so many brands are choosing to move towards being cage-free, it’s now a matter of who is left behind supporting this cruelty,” says Jennifer Dutton, SAFE’s Corporate Campaigner.

While many corporates, petrol companies in particular, have big strides to make towards being more animal and planet-friendly, celebrating and encouraging progress is important. This move from BP is a huge step in the right direction, as they are now the latest on a growing list of New Zealand outlets breaking up with cage eggs for good. Keeping hens confined in battery and colony cages is one of the most extreme methods of legalised animal cruelty still around today. We’re working to help hens and their chicks across all types of farming systems, and getting rid of cages is a vital step in the journey towards a future where all animals are valued as individuals.

The phasing out of cages is part of a global revolution by animal advocacy groups around the world including members of the Open Wing Alliance, of which SAFE is a partner organisation.

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