Photo via Sam Javanrouh/Flickr
Back in 2007, Costco Warehouse said it wanted to only buy eggs from cage-free hens. But at the time there were not enough to supply the company and could not say when that would change, The Oregonian reported. “The egg producers, as a whole, want to move and they’re trying to do it,” Craig Wilson, assistant vice president of food safety and quality assurance, told The Oregonian. “The next issue is time, and we don’t know what the time frame is yet.”
As of 2015, the move to cage-free-only eggs has not been completed, and high-profile celebrities, such as Bill Maher and Ryan Gosling, have been speaking out. The latest to do is actor Brad Pitt. Possibly known as much for his films as he is for his humanitarian work, Pitt, on behalf of Farm Sanctuary, wrote a letter to Craig Jelinek, CEO of Costco Wholesale Corporation regarding their use of eggs from caged hens.
Pitt pointed out the length of time that has passed since the initial statement was made to move to cage-free eggs, and added:
“As you know, these birds producing eggs for your shelves are crammed five or more into cages that are not large enough for even one hen to spread her wings. In these cruel cages, the animals’ muscles and bones atrophy from years of immobilization. That’s why the cages are illegal in most of Europe, and why California banned the cages by an overwhelming vote years ago. In short, cramming hens into cages for their entire lives constitutes cruelty to animals, and animals deserve better. As you know, many major corporations, from Burger King to Unilever, are getting rid of cages—and Whole Foods hasn’t sold eggs from caged hens in years.”
His plea concluded with a statement of admiration for Costco’s social commitments, stating, “You’ve shown great courage and integrity on a range of issues. Won’t you please extend that sensibility—and basic decency—to chickens?”
Pitt is asking Costco to designate a reasonable timeframe to stop selling the eggs of caged hens. Costco has not yet responded.
