These include setting up schools in Mozambique and Zimbabwe; a remarkable environmental building in Rotterdam in the Netherlands, which is working to neutralise the CO₂ emissions of employees' cars; a forest improvement project in Japan; and the Hawke¡¦s Bay Community Trust in New Zealand, which promotes biodynamic and organic production. In addition to this, during the past 12 months, over 22 million eggs have been donated to food banks, charities and schools around the world, helping to feed the hungry and underprivileged. The study, carried out by the International Egg Commission (IEC), has revealed that egg farmers around the world are joining together and increasing their commitment to provide a high quality food product to help feed the world¡¦s increasing population, while caring for the environment, and the underprivileged throughout the world. During the past year members of the IEC have donated the equivalent of over $7 million and a staggering 22,340,000 eggs to help people throughout the world, in a wide range of projects including:

• In North America, the US and Canada donate millions of eggs every year to national and international food banks; during the last 12 months, over 15 million eggs were donated by the US alone.
• The national egg industries in Mexico, Columbia and Barbados all regularly donate eggs to their national children¡¦s hospitals and schools.
• A privately owned Danish egg company has a particularly comprehensive corporate social responsibility plan. In addition to creating a green building in the centre of Rotterdam, it has also partnered with Save the Children and has set up football schools to benefit children in Sierra Lione, a country with one of highest child mortality rates and lowest life spans. International Egg Commission
• An American based egg company has set up a new egg business in Mozambique to help bring modern agriculture practice and ultimately economic viability to the country. This is an extremely ambitious project; Mozambique currently has to import eggs for resale, but the aim of this project is to enable the country to produce its own eggs, providing a sustainable food source for the nation. As well as providing the nutritious, sustainable food source, the company is also donating all the profits generated by this new business to set up schools and other community projects in Mozambique.

Joanne Ivy, Chair of the IEC said: "At the IEC we are fully committed to our industry¡¦s corporate and social responsibilities, and we feel very privileged to be producing a product that can benefit so many people throughout the world. The IEC has members in countries across the world, and I am delighted that between us all we have been able to provide support to over 108 charitable causes in 48 countries, in North America, South America, Africa, Europe, Oceania and Asia.

"As well as our commitment to the environment, and helping people in the world less fortunate than ourselves, as an industry we are always looking for ways to progress and invest in our laying hens. In the US and Europe, egg businesses are currently investing heavily, making welfare improvements and complying with new legislations. When all of these improvements have been completed, we estimate that within the US and Europe combined, we will have invested the equivalent of 1.1 billion US dollars."

On Friday 14 October, members of the egg industry will hold festivals and competitions around the world to celebrate World Egg Day.

This year, as well celebrating the health benefits and versatility of the egg, let us also take a moment to celebrate the world's egg farmers and international egg industry, as it continues to support the hungry and the underprivileged. International