Historic win for hens as Countdown goes cage-free

Countdown, 1 March:

“it is critical that Countdown continues to offer its customers a  choice of eggs and affordable options….we will continue to have a range  of eggs so that customers can choose what suits their budget or  preference,”

Countdown, 28 March:

“We will be going 100% cage-free in the eggs we sell by the end  of 2024 in the North Island and by the end of 2025 in the South  Island.” 

We are a huge step closer to seeing a world where hens don’t suffer in cages.

Countdown has finally listened to the thousands of emails and  messages on social media they’ve received from those of us who know that  it’s wrong to keep a hen confined in a space little bigger than an A4  piece of paper. They’ve announced they’re committed to a phase out of all cage eggs, despite months of saying they couldn’t do this.

This is a huge win for people power, and for hens. Countdown sells 1  in 5 of New Zealand’s eggs, so their decision will mean positive change  for around FOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND hens.

“A big thank you to each and every person who’ve taken  action. We’re delighted that Countdown has decided to listen to their  customers. This will make a significant difference for caged hens in New  Zealand and shows the real power that Kiwis have to create positive  change,” says Mandy Carter, campaigns director. “This is the beginning  of the end of cage hen farming. No farmer with common sense would now  invest in the new cruel colony cages.”

The actions of 13-year-old Maja Skilling also made a significant  difference. Maja expressed her disgust at cage eggs by starting a  petition which attracted almost 20,000 signatures.  Her petition will  have made an impact on Countdown’s decision makers and shows how  together we really can create positive change for animals.

By law, old-style battery cages have to be removed by New Zealand egg  producers by 2022, and we need to give a clear message to them that it  would be crazy to pour millions of dollars into installing the cruel new  colony cages.

We are already in productive dialogue with Foodstuffs, who owns New  World and PAK’nSAVE, and you can help encourage them to follow  Countdown’s positive move.

Take Action

Let them know that you would also support them naming a phase-out date for all cage eggs at their stores:

• Post a message on New World’s and PAK’nSAVE’s Facebook pages, asking them to announce a cage-free phase-out date of their own.
• Want to get involved in our next campaign? Sign up to our Animal Action Network today.