Switzerland’s biggest retailer to sell only free-range eggs by 2020
Switzerland was in 1991 the first country to ban battery egg farming.
Keystone
Switzerland’s biggest retailer Migros has announced it will by the end of 2020 sell only eggs from free roaming hens, according to Le Matin Dimanche newspaper.
Migros will sell only eggs from hens that each have access to 2.5 square metres of open field, as well as a covered outdoor winter garden.
This means it will phase out eggs from farms where the hens do not have access to a field, which currently make up 30% of its stock. Migros stopped selling battery farm eggs 20 years ago.
The move is designed both to promote animal welfare and adapt to consumer demand. “Several surveys show that consumers attach a lot of importance to the wellbeing of the animal when they buy eggs,” says a Migros statement.
Not all producers are happy, but the newspaper says this decision is nevertheless in line with a general trend in the industry towards more freedom for laying hens. Nestlé, for example, announced in November that it would stop using eggs from caged hens in any of its products worldwide as of 2025.
Switzerland’s other main supermarket chain Coop told Le Matin Dimanche that it aims to raise the proportion of organic and free-roaming hen eggs in those that it sells, even if it has not yet decided to stop selling anything else. Like Migros, it does not sell battery eggs.
Popular Stories
More
Demographics
Flat-hunting in Switzerland’s cheapest and most expensive municipalities
Train vs plane: would you take a direct train between London and Geneva?
Eurostar is planning to run direct trains from Britain to Germany and Switzerland from the early 2030s. Would you favour the train over the plane? If not, why not?
This content was published on
One in four people in Switzerland feel stressed often or almost always. Among the under-30s, the figure is as high as 40 per cent. This is according to the "Health Forecast" study financed by health insurer Sanitas.
This content was published on
The permafrost in the Swiss Alps is thawing faster and faster. The thawed top layers of permafrost have never been as thick as they were last year. This is shown by the latest data from the Swiss permafrost monitoring network Permos.
Landslide in Blatten causes CHF320 million in damage
This content was published on
The landslide in Blatten VS and the resulting floods caused damage totalling CHF 320 million. Around CHF 260 million of this was due to damage to buildings and household contents, according to estimates by Swiss private insurers.
Swiss village of Brienz closed due to landslide risk
This content was published on
The Graubünden village of Brienz was closed again on Monday due to the risk of landslides. Rock masses on the mountain above the village recently accelerated to such an extent that they are threatening to collapse. The inhabitants have been evacuated since last November.
Failure to help rape victims remains unpunishable in Switzerland
This content was published on
Failing to come to the aid of a rape victim will remain unpunishable. Against the advice of the National Council, the Council of States on Monday rejected by 30 votes to 13 a Socialist parliamentary initiative to review the current law.
Swiss parliament calls for pilot project for digital signature collection
This content was published on
The electronic collection of signatures for initiatives and referendums is to be trialled in a pilot project. After the Council of States, the National Council also approved a corresponding proposal on Monday.
Two thirds of Swiss apprentices face psychological issues
This content was published on
Two thirds of Swiss apprentices suffer from psychological problems and do not find support in the vocational training system
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
If parliament refuses to act, it’s the people’s turn
This content was published on
The Swiss parliament recently rejected a motion to ban imports of products involving cruelty to animals, but now the people could have their say.
This content was published on
The agricultural sector is protected through import restrictions and state subsidies, but farmers receive a number of other privileges too.
Swiss supermarkets, not florists, supply ethical roses this Valentine’s
This content was published on
More than 100 million red roses are expected to be sold on the day of love. But many private flower sellers are still slow to embrace fair trade petals.
Swiss companies improve performance in global retail market
This content was published on
Swiss retail giants Migros and Coop have each jumped two spots in Deloitte's annual ranking of the world’s biggest retail companies.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.