STAFF REPORTER
ON World NGO Day, (February 27), leading advocacy groups in SA launched the Eggsposure Campaign to call for transparency and accountability from the food industry, specifically, the Consumer Goods Council of South Africa (CGCSA).The campaign, led by the Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (SAFCEI) and Animal Law Reform South Africa (ALRSA), reveals CGCSA’s actions which, they argue, obstruct civil society engagement, suppress consumer and constitutional rights, hinder transparency, and support cruel and outdated systems – such as battery cages for egg-laying hens.
"South Africans, including faith communities and ethical consumers, are calling for change. Battery cages are not just cruel- they are unnecessary. The industry needs to be prepared to listen to the growing demand for humane, transparent, and sustainable food systems." said Zwelisha Shobede, Cage-Free Coordinator at SAFCEI.
At the heart of the campaign is an open letter to CGCSA that outlines how its actions can be taken as an effort to suppress and harm civil society and NGO engagement. Such statements and actions could have the following impacts:
- Blocking transparency by withholding critical industry research from the public.
- Silencing NGOs through intimidation tactics and misleading narratives.
- Perpetuating cruelty by protecting battery cage farming instead of advocating for humane alternatives.
- Suppressing consumer choice by preventing the public from making informed, ethical food decisions.
"Civil society organisations play a crucial role in South Africa’s constitutional dispensation in ensuring the protection of rights, freedoms and justice for all. Powerful industry bodies such as the CGCSA, claim to espouse values such as “Integrity. Excellence. Accountability.”, yet have adopted an obstructive and harmful approach when it comes to efforts by CSOs to transform cruel and unsustainable practices in the egg industry. Civil society will not be intimidated into silence. The public deserves the truth, and we demand accountability,” said Amy P Wilson, Acting Executive Director of ALRSA.
The organisation said the Eggsposure Campaign is a wake-up call for consumers to demand transparency and accountability from stakeholders in the egg supply chain, including businesses, industry representatives, and policymakers. Civil society groups are urging other role players in the South African egg industry to reject cruel and unsustainable systems, such as battery cages, and to make independent, ethical business choices. Members of the public are encouraged to educate themselves about their food choices, share, and support the campaign. The Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (SAFCEI) is a multi-faith environmental justice organisation advocating for the well-being of people, animals, and the planet. SAFCEI’s work includes promoting ethical food systems, animal welfare, and climate justice across Southern Africa.