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“From the ancient Khoisan reverence of the eland to the contemporary conception of the dog as ‘man’s best friend’, humans and animals have a storied relationship, one that is part of the fabric of our society, homes and lives. Animals have shifted from being ‘mere brutes or beasts’ to ‘fellow beasts, fellow mortals or fellow creatures’ and finally to ‘companions, friends and brothers.’ To protect these voiceless companions, individuals have time and again stepped in when animals are mistreated.“
– Justice Khampepe, Constitutional Court Judge
National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals v Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development and Another [2016] ZACC 46.
The Research Component provides context about the Egg Supply Chain in practice including its impacts and its regulation. Research conducted for this component assisted with the identification of the Pillars, and informed the Stakeholder Component as further set out in Section IV. Specifically, the Pillars and matters identified within them, informed the PAIA Requests sent to the Selected Stakeholders as well as the rating Criteria and Indicators, with a focus on animal welfare.
The Egg Industry in South Africa impacts on various areas of importance and relevance to the South African public and their rights. After researching these impacts, they were categorised into six main Pillars being:
Each of these Pillars is expanded on in further detail, with the Animal Welfare Pillar being the focus for purposes of this Initial Report. Each Pillar introduces the relevant issue in broad terms, explores some ways in which the issue intersects with the Egg Industry, and sets out at a high level the regulatory framework applicable to the issue in South Africa. Some Pillars also contain examples of the issue in practice.
One of the aims of the Project is to foster public interest in the South African regulatory regime as it pertains to the Egg Industry. This benefits the public generally as well as other animal advocacy organisations, who conduct important work in areas outside of the law. Many such organisations are not fully aware of the legal framework including all of the relevant laws, policies, standards, etc.) and are therefore not able to draw on relevant legal materials in their engagements whether it be with government, Corporations, or the public more generally. Governance measures, including the law, are important tools to understand and can assist in important animal advocacy efforts.
Accordingly, by laying the foundations, laying out the facts, and laying down the law in respect of each of the aforementioned Pillars, members of the public, animal advocacy groups, and others may begin to understand their rights and interests as well as the areas in which they can pursue Corporate Accountability.
In order to provide a holistic view of the system and industry producing egg products for purposes of this Initial Report, the following Pillars were identified as overarching subject matter areas for research analysis and ultimate rating, which served ALRSA in placing informed questions and requests on Corporations (specifically the Selected Stakeholders) and determining the rating Criteria and Indicators. By clicking on one of the pillars below, you will be led to more information in respect thereof.
This Animal Welfare Pillar contains a high-level summary of some of the animal welfare and well-being issues applicable to the Egg Industry in South Africa, as well as the regulation thereof.
This Environmental Pillar contains a high-level summary of some of the environmental issues applicable to the Egg Industry in South Africa, as well as the regulation thereof, more specifically how these issues intersect with animal welfare and well-being.
This Food Health and Safety Pillar contains a high-level summary of some of the food health and safety issues applicable to the Egg Industry in South Africa, as well as the regulation thereof, more specifically how these issues intersect with animal welfare and well-being.
This Social Issues and Rights Pillar contains a high-level summary of some of the social matters (including social justice) and human rights issues arising in the Egg Supply Chain in South Africa.
This Consumer Protection Pillar contains a high-level summary of some of consumer protection issues applicable to the Egg Industry in South Africa, as well as the regulation thereof, more specifically how these issues intersect with animal welfare and well-being.
This Corporate and Business Pillar contains a high-level summary of some of the corporate and business considerations applicable to the Egg Industry in South Africa, as well as the regulation thereof, more specifically how these issues intersect with animal welfare and well-being.