Feathers fly outside Auckland hotel, as SAFE demands Marriott honour their cage-free egg commitment

SAFE this morning protested outside Four Points by Sheraton Auckland hotel, demanding Marriott hotels honour their commitment to source cage-free eggs. The action, featuring colourful chicken costumes, was part of a global campaign launched today by 58 major animal organisations who make up the Open Wing Alliance.

Four Points by Sheraton is owned by global hotel company Marriott International Inc, who announced in 2013 they would be cage-free by 2015. Despite this commitment, Marriott has still not phased out the use of cage eggs.

SAFE Head of Campaigns Marianne Macdonald says it’s imperative that companies who make public commitments to go cage-free be held to account if they fail to honour their promises. 

“Marriott was happy to take the positive PR exposure from their announcement to go cage-free but failed to commit to making life any happier for hens,” says Ms Macdonald. 

“They made a promise to be 100% cage-free by 2015, claiming at the time ‘it’s the right thing to do’. Being trustworthy and honest to customers is also the right thing to do, but obviously Marriott doesn’t agree. It’s now almost 2019 and we’re demanding they act on their cage-free promise.” 

Marriott is a leading hotel company, operating 6,700 properties across 130 countries. With revenue of $22 billion in the 2017 financial year, Marriott is the largest hotel company in the world. A recent investigation exposed extreme filth and cruel conditions at one of Marriott Group’s egg suppliers.

“Cost is no excuse for not acting on their cage-free promise, especially when Marriott operates a luxury hotel brand, where no expense should be spared.”

“Hens confined to cramped cages will never experience the kind of luxury afforded by Marriott to their customers. They deserve better.”

TAKE ACTION

SAFE is calling on caring Kiwis to sign the petition demanding that Marriott honour their promise to go cage-free.