Menu
Please note that by clicking on the below link you will download an extract of the Initial Report, which is to be read in light of the Initial Report, the Glossary of terms and Acknowledgements and Legal.
This Environmental Pillar has been selected for purposes of the Project because in addition to the animal welfare issues arising during the industrial egg production process (as further set out in the Animal Welfare Pillar), the Egg Industry has negative environmental impacts, including contributing significantly towards global greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions and climate change, use of non-renewable resources such as land, habitat and biodiversity loss, a significant water footprint, water pollution, and polluting atmospheric emissions other than GHGs.
Part A of this Pillar sets out the rationale for its selection, and connects it with information from our Stakeholder Report in Section IV (including information requested from Selected Stakeholders in terms of PAIA).
Part B sets out background information as to how the Pillar connects with the Egg Supply Chain (including environmental harms associated with the Egg Industry including greenhouse gas emissions and climate change; competition for limited resources; water and soil pollution).
Part C provides an overview of selected governance matters associated with this Pillar in the context of the Egg Supply Chain in South Africa (including highlighting specific environmental legislation at national and international level).
To get a sense of whether Selected Stakeholders in the Egg Supply Chain are aware of and compliant with Environmental Legislation, our PAIA Requests to Selected Stakeholders requested reports, licenses, permits, warnings, citations, notices directives and similar enforcement and compliance records, both internal and external, specifically in relation to compliance and/or non-compliance with Environmental Legislation as well as records related to Adverse Findings in respect of Environmental Legislation.
We further requested records related to Environmental Commitments. These records we believed would provide insight into Selected Stakeholders efforts in respect of the environment. Furthermore, we would be able to analyse Selected Stakeholders’ understanding of the environmental right and whether Selected Stakeholders have adopted an approach which is inclusive of addressing animal welfare as a measure for environmental protection and sustainability.
Please note that by clicking on the below link you will download an extract of the Initial Report, which is to be read in light of the Initial Report, the Glossary of terms and Acknowledgements and Legal.
Our planet is facing converging socio-ecological crises, including an environmental and climate crisis. Intensive animal agriculture, or “factory farming” is a significant but often overlooked contributor to these problems. It is considered a “silent culprit” of climate change. In SA, a country grappling with many challenges, including severe poverty, food insecurity, and inequality, these environmental issues exacerbate existing socio-economic problems. The government tends to promote intensive animal production as a solution to many socio-economic problems. However, in reality, such practices tend to worsen rather than alleviate socio-ecological vulnerabilities. These global challenges are intensified by the rise of meat and animal product consumption around the world.
Part A entitled “Laying the Foundations” contextualises the link between the animal consumption and the environmental impacts thereof. It contextualises a world in crisis, the role of rights in safeguarding against harms in the egg supply chain, environmental duties and responsibilities on corporations: Corporate Accountability and observations from our initial report.
Part B entitled “Laying Down the Facts” out background information as to how the Pillar connects with the Egg Supply Chain (including environmental harms associated with the Egg Industry including greenhouse gas emissions and climate change; competition for limited resources; water, waste and soil pollution, among others).
Part C entitled “Laying Down the Law” provides an overview of selected governance matters associated with this Pillar in the context of the Egg Supply Chain in South Africa (including highlighting specific environmental legislation at national and international level). Part D entitled “Laying it on the Line” discusses the necessity for environmental transparency in the egg supply chain, environmental reporting in South Africa, softer law and standards including industry and internal policies. Part E entitled “Laying it at Stakeholders Doors” specifically discusses measures that could be adopted to enhance corporate accountability in the egg supply chain adopted in other parts of the world.