Activists disrupt World Retail Congress over global retailer’s “empty promises” on animal cruelty
In May, Animal Equality UK activists gathered outside the World Retail Congress at the Hilton Park Lane to protest Ahold Delhaize’s broken commitment to end the use of cages in its supply chain. We called on Dutch supermarket chain Albert Heijn’s senior executive, Sjoerd Holleman, to urge the company’s owners – Ahold Delhaize – to take immediate action for animals.
Empty promises betray animals and consumer trust
The demonstration was part of a wider international campaign urging the leadership team within global conglomerate Ahold Delhaize to eliminate the use of cages for mother pigs and hens, a promise it has broken repeatedly over the past decade. Ahold Delhaize first pledged to go cage-free more than 13 years ago, but has since delayed its timelines, offering no meaningful plan or deadline.
Ahold Delhaize claims to be committed to ending the use of cruel animal cages in its supply chain but its leadership team has failed to provide a clear and transparent roadmap. The company is knowingly supporting the continued use of practices that cause extreme physical and mental distress to animals – Ahold Delhaize’s leadership is responsible for denying mother pigs and hens their basic right to freedom of movement. Empty promises betray animals and consumer trust. Ahold Delhaize made a promise – we expect it to be delivered.
– Abigail Penny, Animal Equality UK’s Executive Director
Demonstrators used placards, speeches, flyers and a mobile video van to highlight the cruelty of caged systems within Ahold Delhaize’s supply chain. Footage of pigs, covertly captured by Animal Equality US inside a pig breeding facility connected to Ahold Delhaize, showed mother pigs in cages so small they could not turn around; one pig showed signs of panic and distress after her head became caught under the metal bars.
The demonstration focused on the “shameless hypocrisy” of Ahold Delhaize and its senior leadership. It follows a string of peaceful protests at other companies linked to Ahold Delhaize and its board, including jewellery brand Pandora and distribution company Bunzl. Ahold Delhaize positions itself as an ‘ethical leader’, while continuing to use ‘sow stalls’ for mother pigs and tiny wire cages for hens.
Beyond the cage: a system built on suffering
While Ahold Delhaize delays reform, experts and advocates point to a solution available right now: plant-based eating.
Cages are just one form of factory farming cruelty. But plant-based foods offer a hopeful path – one that spares animals and challenges the system behind their suffering.
What’s next?
Sign-up to receive Animal Protector and e-newsletter emails, containing news, appeals and actions that you can take to help animals – including information about our upcoming demos.
Share this page on social media, tagging @AholdDelhaize, to politely let the board know what you think.
