What is the Coalition for Sustainable Egg Supply?

The Coalition for Sustainable Egg Supply is a multi-stakeholder group collaborating on a commercial-scale study of housing alternatives for egg-laying hens in the U.S. The study will examine the impacts of three different laying hen housing environments on the following holistic elements of a sustainable egg supply: environmental impact, food safety, worker safety, animal health and well-being, and food affordability.

Who are the members of the Coalition?

The Coalition for Sustainable Egg Supply is a group of leading animal welfare scientists, research institutions, non-governmental organizations, egg suppliers, food manufacturers, restaurant/foodservice and food retail companies. The Leadership Committee of the multi-stakeholder Coalition includes McDonald's USA, Cargill Kitchen Solutions, Michigan State University, the University of California-Davis, the Center for Food Integrity, and the American Humane Association. Additional coalition member advisors include the American Veterinary Medical Association and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service. The Environmental Defense Fund is a non-member advisor to the coalition.

What is the purpose of the study?

The goal of the study is to understand the sustainability impacts of various laying hen housing systems in the U.S., including cage free; enriched housing, which includes nests and perches; and the housing environments currently used to supply a majority of the eggs in the U.S.

In the U.S., commercial-scale research on sustainable egg production is lacking. While some research points to potential benefits to commercially raised birds being able to demonstrate more natural behaviors associated with a cage-free environment, other research indicates an increase in abnormal bird behaviors, disease, food safety issues, and mortality rates. Behavior and health both play important roles in securing animal well-being. We feel that all elements contributing to the well-being of a hen, as well as impacts on worker safety, food safety, food affordability, and the environment should be considered in sustainable egg production.

The Coalition's work will result in meaningful science-based data that will help guide future production and purchasing decisions.

How were the Coalition members selected?

Current members chose to join the Coalition because they all have a shared interest in the sustainability impacts of egg production – including animal health and well-being, environmental impact, food safety, worker safety and food affordability.

Organizations or companies that are interested in better understanding the work of the Coalition or in potential membership should contact the Coalition facilitator Center for Food Integrity for more information.

Who is in charge of the Coalition?

The Coalition is facilitated by the Center for Food Integrity, and directed by a Leadership Committee comprised of the American Humane Association, Cargill Kitchen Solutions, McDonald's USA, Michigan State University, and University of California-Davis.

How is this study being funded?

Funding is being provided by the companies and organizations in the Coalition.

How much is being invested in this study?

Research grants totaling $6 million have been awarded to Michigan State University and the University of California, Davis, as the lead research institutions. Additional research institutions and organizations will participate in the study through cooperative research agreements.

Doesnt this study represent a gradual phase-in of cage-free eggs?

No, this is a commercial-scale research effort exploring various options for laying hen housing, including cage-free. The Coalition is committed to an objective, holistic review of all factors that impact sustainability, including hen health and well-being, the environment, food safety, food affordability and worker safety.

The results of this research will help guide egg producers as well as those who procure eggs for retail or foodservice distribution in making sustainable egg purchasing decisions.

Why doesnt the restaurant industry just do what many individual restaurants are doing and phase-in a certain percentage of cage-free eggs?

As part of ensuring safe, high quality food, it is the industry's responsibility to look at all areas impacting sustainable egg production. One of the great challenges to adopting cage-free housing in the U.S. is that research in this area is unclear and scientists disagree about the impacts on several sustainability variables.

Consumer research conducted for Coalition partner McDonald's USA shows that customers care about a wide range of issues related to corporate social responsibility, with affordable, safe food being a priority, followed by issues related to people, the environment and animal welfare.

That is why the Coalition is conducting this commercial-scale study of housing alternatives for egg-laying hens and the impacts of each option on the various sustainability factors.

What if the study shows cage-free is most humane method? Will those restaurants involved require their suppliers to convert to cage-free as a result?

The restaurants and suppliers involved in the Coalition will review the results of the study to help guide future sustainable production and purchasing decisions. Each entity will make independent purchasing decisions based on their evaluation of the research and other factors.

Isn't it clear that the current cage system is inhumane and bad for the laying hens?

The impacts of conventional cages versus other types of housing need more scientific study. That is why we are pleased to have a Coalition that includes the leading researchers on sustainable egg production to conduct this comprehensive commercial-scale study, which will result in information that will help producers and customers make informed decisions about production and purchasing.