McDonald’s has made previous animal welfare commitments (impacting its supply chains in Europe, North America, and South America), but no corresponding commitments have been made in South Africa.

Beauty without Cruelty SA, United Front 4 Animals (UFA), OWL, South African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (SAFCEI) and Animal Voice, the official South African representative of Compassion in World Farming have added their voices to this campaign.

Since January 2016, Beauty Without Cruelty, United Front for Animals, and Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute have written to Greg Solomon, CEO of McDonald’s South Africa, and Sechaba Motsielo, corporate affairs director of McDonald’s South Africa, asking them to adopt a cage-free policy.

McDonald’s SA responded to Beauty Without Cruelty in February: “McDonald’s South Africa takes note of the moves made by their USA and Canadian counterparts, and though we are exploring the viability of expanding McDonald’s cage-free policy to South Africa, we cannot at this stage, make a similar commitment as the one made by McDonald’s USA and McDonald’s Canada.”

A petition was then started in March by a 23-year-old student, Yolanda Guse, who is a member of Beauty without Cruelty SA and has chickens at home as pets.

Compassion In World Farming SA joined forces with the three animal protection organisations and added their voice to the campaign.

Consumers are not impressed and responded; “we’re not lovin’ it, McDonald’s SA”. Due to the petition’s media attention, McDonald’s South Africa released a statement, stating: “We direct our farm fresh eggs directly from our own farms and suppliers, who meet McDonald’s stringent quality and food safety standards. Our customers can enjoy our egg offerings at all of our restaurants in South Africa confident that they meet the highest standards of safety.”

Guse responded; “McDonald’s statement is nothing more than an attempt to delay action against the cruelty in their South African supply chain. Extensive scientific evidence shows that hens in battery cages are frustrated, distressed, and suffering, which is why the company has already adopted cage-free policies in EU, US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.McDonald’s needs to stop delaying and announce a 100% cage-free policy in South Africa. I’m truly disappointed by McDonald’s South Africa’s statement. Across the globe, including in South Africa, restaurants and supermarkets are moving away from eggs produced by hens confined in cages, proving that cage-free is both viable for businesses and better for the animals. No further investigation is required. McDonald’s South Africa needs to make a cage-free commitment today.”

McDonald’s needs to stop delaying and announce a 100% cage-free policy in South Africa. I’m truly disappointed by McDonald’s South Africa’s statement. Across the globe, including in South Africa, restaurants and supermarkets are moving away from eggs produced by hens confined in cages, proving that cage-free is both viable for businesses and better for the animals. No further investigation is required. McDonald’s South Africa needs to make a cage-free commitment today.”

In May and June, McDonald’s South Africa added insult to injury with their promotion using Angry Birds characters to promote their Happy Meals to young children despite outrage from the South African public on the Company’s cruel treatment of the hens producing eggs for their restaurants.

“The latest McDonalds promotion, Angry Birds Happy Meals, leaves one pondering the mindset of the Company and the people McDonald’s SA employs for this work. The irony of Angry Birds is evidently lost as McDonald’s SA still refuses to commit to making this change. Extensive research shows that the hens suffer psychological stress, bone weakness and breakage, feather loss and disease. Standard factory-farm practices include slicing off parts of their beaks without painkillers, and manipulating their laying cycles by starving them,” says Beauty Without Cruelty National chairperson, Toni Brockhoven.

Various local influencers have committed to supporting this cause including Miss Earth SA’s Carla Viktor, Braam Malherbe, Grant Hinds, Liezel van der Westhuizen, the Miss Earth SA organisation as well as lifestyle and wellness expert, Lisa Raleigh.

Despite more than 17 600 people signing the online petition and additional pressure from the four animal protection groups, media, and local celebrities, McDonald's South Africa still won’t make a commitment to stop the suffering of their hens and commit to cage-free eggs.

Members of the public who would like to support the cause can join the online petition here.

For more information, and to join the conversation, connect with them on Facebook using the #McDonaldsCruelty hashtag.