real,- stops sale of battery eggs

Cooperation with the German Animal Protection

Association (Deutscher Tierschutzbund)

Withdrawal brings “Golden Egg” animal protection prize

Moenchengladbach, 1st October 2009 – With immediate effect, real,- will no longer stock eggs produced by battery hens. The retail company will completely stop selling battery eggs and now offers a totally new egg range. With this step, real,- is satisfying the request of numerous customers and emphasising its commitment in the field of appropriate animal care.
In collaboration with the Deutscher Tierschutzbund e. V. (German Animal Protection Association) real,- has decided to stop selling battery eggs. “No eggs with the number 3 [being the number allocated to eggs from battery hens]: this  is good for the animals and also good for consumers. We are delighted that real,- has supported the commitment to appropriate animal care since the beginning of our ‘No eggs with the number 3!’ campaign. It was particularly important to us that this was not a one-off campaign by real,- for World Animal Protection Day, but rather borne out of an authentic conviction to provide more room for the hens. Together with real,- we recommend eggs indicated with the numbers 0, 1 or 2,” said Wolfgang Apel, President of the German Animal Protection Association.

The internationally leading animal protection organisation “Compassion in World Farming” welcomed the commitment and awarded the company with the “Golden Egg” animal protection prize in late April 2009.

Customers prefer eggs from alternative rearing methods: between 1995 and 2004 alone in Germany, the consumption of eggs from non-battery farming systems increased by over 300 per cent. By comparison, the consumption of battery eggs decreased. This trend is continuing as a result of the phasing out of battery eggs among retailers. The new egg range at real,- meets the highest quality requirements. In this regard, the retail company is working closely together with the Association for Controlled Alternative Animal Rearing Methods (Verein für kontrollierte alternative Tierhaltungsformen e.V.) (KAT). “KAT” is one of the most important monitoring authorities for the inspection of eggs and their suppliers. The objective is to ensure seamless monitoring in the fields of origination, animal protection, quality and hygiene. real,- has been actively involved with the association since 1996.