Dutch Supermarkets to Sell Only ‘Free-Range’ Eggs
by Amanda Katz
Two large Dutch supermarket chains - Schuitema and Laurus - announced last month that they in 2004 will begin selling eggs laid only by so-called "free-range" chickens.
Aldi, Lidl, Digros and other supermarket chains in the Netherlands had previously announced that they would no longer sell eggs obtained from hens confined in cages.
The virtually industry-wide policy change was chiefly prompted by numerous consumers who demonstrated that they were willing to pay more for eggs laid by "free-range" chickens.
Campaigns conducted by Wakker Dier, an Amsterdam-based foundation dedicated to promoting farm animal welfare, also were responsible for the change.
"’Grass eggs’ - eggs laid by chickens that get to go outside - are the best choice," said a spokesperson representing Animal Freedom, a Dutch organization devoted to promoting animal rights. "These eggs are recognizable by the logo on the box or a stamp on the egg."
© 2003 Animal News Center, Inc.
Two large Dutch supermarket chains - Schuitema and Laurus - announced last month that they in 2004 will begin selling eggs laid only by so-called "free-range" chickens.
Aldi, Lidl, Digros and other supermarket chains in the Netherlands had previously announced that they would no longer sell eggs obtained from hens confined in cages.
The virtually industry-wide policy change was chiefly prompted by numerous consumers who demonstrated that they were willing to pay more for eggs laid by "free-range" chickens.
Campaigns conducted by Wakker Dier, an Amsterdam-based foundation dedicated to promoting farm animal welfare, also were responsible for the change.
"’Grass eggs’ - eggs laid by chickens that get to go outside - are the best choice," said a spokesperson representing Animal Freedom, a Dutch organization devoted to promoting animal rights. "These eggs are recognizable by the logo on the box or a stamp on the egg."
© 2003 Animal News Center, Inc.
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