Starting on September 7, animal rights activists from around the world are protesting in front of the Ahold Delhaize headquarters in Zaandam. During this month-long protest against one of the largest food retail groups, which owns the supermarket chain Albert Heijn, activists are urging the company to take accountability for its unfulfilled animal welfare promises.
“Years ago, Ahold Delhaize pledged to end the use of cages for pigs and hens in its U.S. supply chain, which would bring the company in line with its European practices. Although such cages have been banned in the Netherlands since 2008 under the country’s sustainable agriculture policy, Ahold Delhaize continues to use them in the United States,” says Ombretta Alessandrini, Campaigns Manager at Animal Equality Italia.
According to her, during the protest at the company headquarters, the animal welfare organization aims to highlight the company’s double standards. Despite operating in a country that has outlawed the practice, the company has failed to extend similar protections for animals across its international supply chain.
Excuses for the new timeline
The company says that previously set goals to become completely cage-free by 2025 in their American brands “proved unfeasible”. “This is due to various factors, including limited availability within the U.S. supply chain, affordability, the impact of the avian flu, customer demand, as well as local laws and regulations,” states Isabelle Meltzer, Ahold Delhaize Manager Corporate Communications. The company now plans to become completely cage-free by 2032.
However, animal rights activists argue that these statements are merely an excuse to avoid improving the living conditions for hens and pigs. “Animal Equality demands Ahold Delhaize to go cage-free in their supply chain in the United States and provide meaningful steps to do so. Regardless of the excuses that the company has given, other retailers have been able to reach their goal,” comments Ombretta Alessandrini.
International support
The call to join the protest against Ahold Delhaize in the Netherlands reached activists not only from European countries such as Germany, Spain, or Italy but also from the United States. “When I found out that there was an opportunity to have a convergence here of activists from all over the world, I wanted to be part of it. And it’s been really inspiring to see people coming from so many different parts of the world,” says Nora Kramer, an activist who came to protest all the way from New York.
The activist adds that even though she couldn’t stay for the full duration of the protest, she really enjoyed being part of it and being able to spend time with people who are as dedicated to ensuring better conditions for farmed animals as she is. “This is an opportunity for us to share with the company how passionate we are about this and that while this company doesn’t care about animals, we do,” explains Nora Kramer.
The month-long protest in the Netherlands is part of an international mobilization taking place across Europe and the United States, where dozens of demonstrations are being held to hold Ahold Delhaize accountable for its animal welfare policy.
