Breaking Barriers: Silks Hotel Group’s Partnership for a Free Future with Environment & Animal Society of Taiwan and Taiwan Mennonite New Dawn Educare Center

TAIPEI, May 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Silks Hotel Group (SHG), a multinational hotel chain based in Taiwancollaborated with the non-profit animal protection organization Environment & Animal Society of Taiwanand Taiwan’s Mennonite New Dawn Educare Center for people with a physical or mental disabilityto advocate for sustainable practices in That of Taiwan livestock farming. Their collaboration was revealed during a press conference on April 25, where SHG pledged to source free-range eggs as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts and in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). SHG announced that by the end of 2026, all restaurants in Regent Taipei will fully transition to using free-range eggs, while other hotels in the group will follow suit, with the aim of completing the transition annually. This initiative not only aims to improve conditions for laying hens, but also aims to cultivate a culture of compassion for animals and the environment. (See attachment for the full text of Silks Hotel Group’s free-range egg initiative)

Simon Wu, Chief Operating Officer of Silks Hotel Group, highlighted SHG’s long-standing commitment to environmental sustainability. Drawing insights from the Environment & Animal Society of TaiwanSHG recognized the suffering suffered by billions of chickens in traditional battery cages, along with the health risks to both humans and animals, and the threats to environmental sustainability. The group then started discussions to implement new policies. Starting from April 1st^stRegent Taipei began using EAST-certified free-range eggs sourced from New Dawn Care Farm, where chickens are cared for by disabled workers. The hotel plans to gradually implement the use of free-range eggs throughout its food supply chain, starting on the second floor of the Gallery Lounge and Robin’s Steakhouse and Teppanyaki, with an estimated total annual consumption of 52,000 kilograms across all its restaurants.

Mrs. Chen Yumindeputy executive director of the Environment & Animal Society of Taiwanemphasized the grim reality that seventy percent of laying hens find themselves in Taiwan are still subjected to cruel confinement in outdated battery cage systems. This lifelong captivity deprives chickens of their natural behavior, leading to physical and mental health problems and promoting aggression among them. To address these challenges and prevent economic losses, preventive antibiotics are routinely administered in their feed, exacerbating medication problems for common diseases such as respiratory, digestive, immune and skeletal problems common in battery chickens. As a result, mentally and physically compromised chickens struggle to adapt to climate changes and disease threats, leading to mass slaughter due to disease and weakness. Taiwan risk long-term egg shortages and the spread of zoonotic diseases that affect both humans and animals.

In addition, Regent Taipei introduced a special Mother’s Day cake, “Strawberry Pistachio Mousse”, which won the 23rd prize^rd Gateaux Cup Taiwanese cake skills competition. Made with free-range eggs, this delicious dessert features layers of pistachio cookies, Fruity Mona strawberry-chocolate-almond sponge, strawberry jam, pistachio mousse and strawberry mousse, with rich berry flavors and textures. The use of free-range eggs symbolizes gratitude and respect for the hardworking laying hens and brings us one step closer to ecological sustainability.

View original content to download multimedia: