Some of Canada’s largest grocery stores have committed to stocking only cage-free eggs by 2025.

The Retail Council of Canada has announced its commitment to improving animal welfare with the move to 100 per cent cage free eggs. Member stores include Loblaw, Metro, Sobeys, and Walmart. The move, which will spare more than 15 million hens annually from suffering in tiny wire cages, has been applauded by the international animal protection organization Mercy For Animals, which encouraged the Retail Council of Canada to develop this important policy.

"There have been significant discussions over the last several months among producers, processors, the scientific community and consumers regarding the best approach for raising hens," said David Wilkes, RCC Senior Vice President of Government Relations and Grocery Division. "These discussions have led to the announcement our members are making today, further demonstrating our commitment to providing Canadians with responsibly sourced food." Wilkes commented that: "this voluntary commitment is made recognizing the restrictions created by Canada's supply management system and importantly this objective will have to be managed in the context of availability of supply within the domestic market."

The Retail Council of Canada's statement is the latest in a wave of cage-free egg commitments by North American grocers, including Kroger, Albertsons, Safeway, Food Lion, Giant, Stop & Shop, Costco, Target, CVS, Trader Joe's, and BJ's Wholesale Club. Additionally, nearly 100 other retailers, restaurants, foodservice companies, and food manufacturers have pledged to go cage-free in the last year in both Canada and the US.