Target: Fernando Fernández, Chief Executive Officer, Unilever
Goal: Demand that Unilever reinstate its global commitment to sourcing 100% cage-free eggs to prevent the systemic cruelty affecting millions of hens.
Unilever claims to be a leader in sustainability and ethical practices, yet the reality suggests otherwise. The company recently retracted its promise to provide 100% cage-free eggs globally by 2025, allowing more than 2 million hens to remain confined in cruel, oppressive cages. This rollback not only prioritizes profit over animal welfare but also highlights a disturbing lack of obligation to ethical treatment of animals in regions outside of Europe and North America. Unilever’s decision leaves countless hens in distress as they struggle for basic rights—rights that consumers expect them to uphold.
The shocking reality is that, behind Unilever’s more than 400 brands, over two million hens endure severe confinement, suffering chronic stress, injury, and an inability to perform natural behaviors like spreading their wings. Not only does this inconsistency reveal an ethical double standard, but it also emphasizes the urgent need for the company to reflect genuine values in all markets, ensuring that animal welfare is prioritized, regardless of the region.
The time to act is now. By reinstating their commitment to sourcing 100% cage-free eggs globally, Unilever can demonstrate that it is genuinely concerned with ethical treatment for all animals. This action can help reclaim its tarnished image as a sustainability leader and prevent further animal suffering that stems from their current practices. It is essential to demand that Unilever restores its commitment to ethical sourcing across all markets.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear CEO Fernández,
It has come to public attention that Unilever, a corporation that markets itself as a champion of ethical practices and sustainability, has backtracked on its commitment to sourcing 100% cage-free eggs globally by 2025. More than two million hens remain confined within cages, suffering inhumane conditions. This decision not only disregards the welfare of these animals but also reflects a disturbing trend of prioritizing profit over ethical obligations.
Furthermore, this rollback is not an isolated incident, but part of a troubling pattern where Unilever has chosen convenience over accountability, leaving the welfare of countless animals in regions outside of North America and Europe unaddressed. With over 4.9 million hens in its supply chain producing more than 1.3 billion eggs annually, it is crucial that the company reinstates its commitment to ethical sourcing as it impacts animal welfare significantly. This selective ethics approach undermines trust and misleads compassionate consumers who believe in the values Unilever claims to embody.
We urge you to correct this course and restore the commitment to source 100% cage-free eggs globally. This action is necessary not only for the welfare of the hens involved but also for upholding the reputation of Unilever as a truly ethical brand. Please take immediate steps to ensure that all animals in your supply chain are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Pixabay
