March 28, 2023

Humane Society International event in Malaysia focuses on cage-free egg production in country

Business leaders, egg producers and government representatives in Malaysia gathered at the Grand Hyatt hotel in Kuala Lumpur this month to explore cage-free egg production in the country. 

The landmark event, hosted by Humane Society International, comes at the beginning of a wave of cage-free egg production in Malaysia and beyond as producers across the world prepare to meet the shifting market and rising customer demand for higher welfare eggs. 

Recent surveys show that 84% of Malaysians agree that the welfare of farmed animals is important and most prefer to purchase cage-free eggs.

As a major egg producer in the region, Malaysia is poised to be a leader in supplying the growing consumer demand for products from higher welfare farming systems, Humane Society International said.  

During the event, scientists and veterinarians from Humane Society International and Wageningen University (the Netherlands) gave research-based information on cage-free egg production. Both local and international corporations with cage-free pledges, including Accor and Hyatt hotels, Old Town White Coffee and Farm Café described their commitments to social responsibility and animal welfare. Successful cage-free egg producers shared their stories and their reasons for transitioning from cages to cage-free.

Humane Society International's senior adviser of policy and engagement for the farm animal welfare department, Dr. Saravanakumar Supramaniam Pillai, stated: "Providing adequate room is a basic tenet of farm animal care and housing. Humane Society International is eager to assist egg producers who wish to embrace more scientifically advanced, socially accepted and higher welfare methods of production. This event demonstrated that the future is without a doubt cage-free."

The audience at the event also received advice and guidance from egg producers in Taiwan and Mexico who have already made the transition.

- Humane Society International