Egg industry announces commitment to United Nation’s sustainable development goals
By Canadian Poultry magazine
News Business/Policy Canada Egg production Events Global Government Livestock Production Poultry Production Sustainability
The World Egg Organisation (WEO) recently announced the global egg industry’s pledge to work in partnership with the United Nations, to fulfil its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The UN’s SDGs represent a shared vision to eradicate poverty and social inequality, and to tackle climate change by 2030. A social contract between the world’s leaders, the successful delivery of this ambitious blueprint is dependent on engagement and participation from international industry. The WEO has outlined key areas where it is delivering positive outcomes in line with the UN’s targets.
Of the UN’s 17 goals to transform our world, the WEO has identified six primary objectives where the egg industry is already making a significant impact through a range of dedicated sustainability initiatives. These specifically address the following goals:
- Zero Hunger
- Good Health and Wellbeing
- Quality Education
- Responsible Consumption and Production
- Climate Action
- Partnerships for the Goals
This latest announcement marks the launch of the egg industry’s Global Initiative for Sustainable Eggs (GISE) which will support a range of ambitious sustainability objectives – helping to deliver the organisation’s vision of continuous improvement. These cover the following industry specific criteria:
1) Preventing the diseases of animals becoming the diseases of human kind
2) Improving nutrition
3) The elimination of forced labour
4) Environmental sustainability – the prevention of deforestation through the sustainable sourcing of soy
5) Working to ensure the responsible use of antimicrobials
6) Working to improve animal welfare
WEO Chairman, Tim Lambert, explains, “Kyoto is the perfect location for our sustainable development announcement. Many members of the international egg industry are gathered for our Global Leadership Conference and this ancient city has been the site of previous historic agreements, that seek to change our world for the better. The UN’s Agenda for Sustainable Development calls on us collectively, to initiate efforts to achieve the seventeen SDGs over the next twelve years. The global egg industry is absolutely committed to the cause.”
“Society wants reassurance that companies are actively engaged with their customers and communities. Businesses have an inherent responsibility to do the right thing, for the right reasons. Through our own clearly defined goals, the egg industry is addressing the needs of people in both developed and developing countries – socially, economically and environmentally.”
GISE’s work co-exists alongside the framework of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. From social responsibility and environmental sustainability to nutrition and better operational practices – every aspect has a humanitarian focus and benefit.
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