SWEDEN BECOMES FIRST CAGE- FREE EGG NATION

Sweden has reached a groundbreaking milestone in animal welfare, becoming the first country in the world where no egg laying hens are kept in cages, achieved entirely without a legal ban. This historic accomplishment is the result of decades of determined advocacy, public awareness campaigns, corporate partnerships, and consumer pressure, driven by project 1882 and allied organizations. Since the early 2000s, more than 85 major companies including retailers, restaurants, and public institutions have pledged to eliminate cage eggs from their supply chains.

Many municipalities also stopped sourcing from suppliers that use cages. As of June 2025, regional data confirms that all cages are now empty, freeing over 17 million hens from confinement. However, because this transformation was achieved voluntarily rather than through legislation, there are concerns that cages could be reintroduced if corporate or consumer commitments weaken. Project 1882 is now calling on the Swedish government to enshrine this progress into law, ensuring lasting protection for hens and potentially setting a precedent for similar reforms across Europe.