Laying Hens: Cage-Free Eggs

Cage-free eggs have become the global symbol of improved animal welfare standards. Conventional eggs are produced from hens confined to a cage as small as an 8x11" sheet of paper for their entire lives. Cage-free eggs are produced from hens who have the freedom to move around within an indoor barn and are never confined in cages. (19) Further, free-range and pasture-raised systems allow chickens meaningful access to the outdoors.

Hundreds of companies worldwide have commitments to source 100% cage-free eggs within the next few years. 100% Cage-free egg commitments are the most common animal welfare commitment within the hospitality industry and most of these companies are reporting progress toward these commitments. Every hotel featured in this Sector Spotlight has a commitment to sourcing 100% cage-free eggs. Most hotel companies have made notable progress in transitioning to cage-free eggs, with two companies – Four Seasons Resorts and Hotels and The Walt Disney Company – meeting their 100% cage-free egg goals for the United States. Accor Group missed its initial 2021 deadline but has continued to report data as it progresses toward its goal. The only two hotel companies that are not reporting progress toward their cage-free commitments are Best Western Hotels & Resorts and MGM Resorts International.

Alongside hotel companies, every major cruise line aside from Virgin Voyages has a 100% cage-free goal and has made substantial strides in sourcing cage-free eggs for onboard dining facilities.

Broiler Chickens: The Better Chicken Commitment

Over nine billion chickens are raised for meat in the United States alone. (20) Some hospitality companies have acknowledged the need to address welfare concerns for broiler chickens, but not as many as cage-free eggs. Companies can make progress in addressing the welfare of chickens in their supply chains by committing to the Better Chicken Commitment (BCC), the leading set of scientific standards to raise chickens in higher-welfare conditions throughout the birds’ lives. (21) Unlike cage-free egg commitments, no hotel companies currently have commitments to the BCC. Only two hotels – Accor Group and Caesar’s Entertainment – had previously committed to the BCC, but both have since removed their policies. Caesar’s Entertainment and MGM Resorts International have committed to sourcing chicken raised in accordance with Global Animal Partnership’s standards by 2024 but do not have a statement about multi-step controlled-atmosphere stunning. (22) Although these hotel companies have publicly demonstrated their commitment to broiler chicken welfare for on-farm conditions, none of them are reporting progress. (23) Hyatt Hotels Corporation has taken a step to demonstrate its welfare priorities through responsible breeds and implementing practices that address stocking density, slaughter, and housing; however, Hyatt has yet to publicly commit to the BCC.

Cruise lines are leading by reporting on their sourcing, but none have committed to a full BCC policy. Virgin Voyages has yet to make a public statement about improving broiler chicken welfare. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. and Royal Caribbean Group have committed to sourcing chicken certified by Global Animal Partnership and Carnival Corporation has committed to sourcing chicken compliant with either the BCC or Global Animal Partnership. While all three of these companies are making progress, developing a statement around controlled atmosphere stunning and an implementation plan for the remainder of their supply chains is crucial to reach their commitments. We encourage all hospitality companies to ensure good welfare for these animals.

Pigs: Gestation Crate-Free Pork

Mother pigs – referred to as sows – are confined in a gestation crate during their pregnancies. (24) This crate does not allow her to turn around or lie down comfortably, leading to physical and emotional distress for these intelligent animals. Recognizing the need for change, a few hospitality companies have adopted policies to shift away from gestation crates and instead allow sows to be raised in group settings.

There is a major opportunity among hospitality companies to make commitments to source higher-welfare pork products. Only two hotel brands, Hilton and Marriott International, have commitments set to source group-housed pork, and only Marriott has reported regional and global progress. Hyatt Hotels Corporation states that its suppliers should avoid the use of gestation crates, but it does not have a specific goal to convert its supply. Three of the major cruise lines – Carnival Corporation, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., and Royal Caribbean Group – have committed to source 100% crate-free pork globally by 2025 and are all reporting progress, setting the standard within the hospitality sector. Virgin Voyages is falling behind without a commitment to source higher-welfare pork. As the supply of group-housed pork continues to increase, companies can demonstrate their commitment to high quality ingredients by publicly committing to ensure good welfare for these animals.

Moving Forward

Hospitality companies have made progress toward animal welfare commitments in recent years, particularly in the areas of cage-free eggs, the Better Chicken Commitment, and crate-free pork, but more can be done across this sector. Several top hotel companies have not set full policies to support these areas of animal welfare. By developing more robust commitments, these companies can demonstrate the importance of responsible sourcing and more humane treatment of animals in their supply chains. These companies have an opportunity to provide better service by providing higher-quality products for their guests. Compassion in World Farming’s Food Business team is eager to support as these companies strive to be leaders in hospitality and service. (25)

Interested in partnering with Compassion in World Farming? Please email FoodBusinessUS@ciwf.org.

References

“Sustainability, Animal Welfare Top Concerns in Merck Consumer Study.” National Hog Farmer. July 26, 2023. https://www.nationalhogfarmer.com/pork-market-news/sustainability-animal-welfare-top-concerns-in-merck-consumer-study.
“Act on animal welfare by offering eggs from cage-free hens” Accor. April 5, 2023. https://group.accor.com/en/Search/Search-Coveo#q=cage%20free%20eggs&t=All&sort=relevancy
“Cage Free Egg Policy.” BWH Hotels Overview. Best Western Hotels & Resorts. October 24, 2023. https://www.bestwestern.com/en_US/about/press-media/best-western-overview.html#:~:text=Cage%20Free%20Egg%20Policy,by%20the%20end%20of%202025.
“ESG Update” Caesar’s Entertainment. October 24, 2023. https://www.caesars.com/corporate-social-responsibility/csr-reports
“Sustainable From Ship to Shore” 2022 Sustainability Report. Carnival Corporation & Plc. October 24 2023.
“2022 Environment, Social, and Governance Report.” Choice Hotels. October 24, 2023. https://s201.q4cdn.com/538915302/files/doc_downloads/2023/03/choice-hotels-2022-esg-report.pdf
“2021 Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) Summary Report.” Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. October 24, 2023. https://www.fourseasons.com/content/dam/fourseasons/images/web/PDFs/Four_Seasons_2021_ESG_Summary_Report.pdf
“Travel With Purpose.” Hilton 2022 Environment, Social, and Governance Report. October 24, 2023. https://esg.hilton.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/04/Hilton-2022-Environmental-Social-and-Governance-Report.pdf
“Responsible Sourcing 2022 Goal Progress.” Hilton. October 24, 2023.
“2022 World of Care Highlights.” Hyatt. October 24, 2023.
“True Hospitality for Good.” Responsible Business Report 2022. IHG Hotels & Resorts. October 24, 2023. https://www.ihgplc.com/en/-/media/ihg/files/responsible-business/2022-rbr/ihg-responsible-business-report-2022.pdf
“2023 Serve 360 Report”. Marriott International. October 24, 2023. https://serve360.marriott.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Marriott-2023-Serve-360-ESG-Report-accessible.pdf
“Cage-Free & Free-Range Egg & Chicken Policy” MGM Resorts. October 24, 2023.
“Sail and Sustain 2022 ESG Report”. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.. October 24, 2023. https://d1io3yog0oux5.cloudfront.net/_9d96ac37ffb4c338bcb0514ef0e618f7/nclhltd/db/1204/11424/file/NCLH+2022+ESG+Report.pdf
“Seastainability.” 2022 Environment, Social, and Governance Report. Royal Caribbean Group. October 24, 2023.
“Walt Disney Parks & Resorts Cage-Free Egg Statement.” The Walt Disney Company. October 24, 2023.
“This Sea Change is Real.” Virgin Voyages. October 24, 2023. https://www.virginvoyages.com/dam/jcr:9561e420-8ef0-4514-ac74-fc09ff5bed29/Final%20ESG%20Report_Compressed.pdf
“Environment, Social, and Governance ESG Report.” Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. 2022.
“Building a Better Hen House: A comprehensive guide to higher welfare systems for laying hens” Compassion in World Farming. October 24, 2023. https://www.ciwf.com/media/7442473/laying-hen-booklet-2nd-edition-oct-2020.pdf
“Animals and Animal Products: Poultry.” Publication | Broiler Hatchery | ID: gm80hv35d | USDA Economics, Statistics and Market Information System. December 28, 2022. https://usda.library.cornell.edu/concern/publications/gm80hv35d?locale=en&page=5#release-items.
“The Better Chicken Commitment”. October 24, 2023. https://betterchickencommitment.com/us/
“Humane Slaughter for Broilers.” Compassion in World Farming. October 24, 2023. https://www.ciwf.com/media/7433545/humane-slaughter-for-broilers-final.pdf
“ChickenTrack.” Compassion in World Farming. October 24, 2023. https://www.ciwf.com/food-business/chickentrack/
“Welfare Issues for Pigs.” Compassion in World Farming USA. October 24, 2023. https://www.ciwf.com/farmed-animals/pigs/welfare-issues/
“Food Business Program.” Compassion in World Farming USA. October 24, 2023. https://www.ciwf.com/food-business/