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4. Values-Led Sourcing > Cage-Free Eggs In 2007, we continued to transition our egg purchases to suppliers who use cage-free production systems. We believe that cage-free production is more in line with our commitment to animal welfare than conventional cage production, so we’re moving as quickly as we can to make the change to suppliers who use cage-free / free-range production systems. All of the eggs we source for our European production are ‘free-range’ eggs (‘vrije uitloop’), which we’ve been doing since 2004. We pay a significant premium for these eggs above the cost of more conventionally produced ‘barn’ eggs or ‘battery cage’ eggs. In the United States, we are in the process of phasing in Certified Humane cage-free eggs over four years. We began the transition in 2007, so by the end of 2010, we’ll have all of our eggs for U.S. production coming from cage-free hens. The phase-in period was necessary to allow Ben & Jerry’s to absorb the additional cost of Certified Humane cage-free eggs and to give the cage-free industry time to expand supply to meet our volume requirements. The Certified Humane designation for our U.S. egg supply means that, in addition to being housed in cage-free systems, egg-laying hens are guaranteed to have wholesome, nutritious food, access to clean water, and adequate space to engage in normal behaviors, among dozens of criteria crafted by veterinary professionals. Compliance with these standards is provided by the nonprofit organization Humane Farm Animal Care in Herndon, Virginia. |
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