Suppliers of meat to the fast food industry are being pushed into treating pigs better as concerns over animal welfare become more and more a part of consumer consciousness. McDonalds are requiring pork suppliers in many regions to improve the welfare of their animals, particularly sows, stopping them from being kept for long periods in "gestation stalls" which keep them penned in the same position, unable to turn around or move from side to side for weeks on end with their young while they are raised to become bacon and sausages.
Reacting to the concerns for animal welfare pig farmers are being requested by fast food manufacturers across the board as well as the Humane Society to stop using the pens which "are not a sustainable production system" in favour of alternatives which are "better for the welfare of the sows."
The announcement of these requests to pig farmers is a part of many of the major restaurant chains ambition to persuade their consumers that they are in fact animal friendly as awareness of intensive farming practices grows among consumers. It's hoped that the measures will improve their public image as they come under pressure from concerned consumers, animal welfare groups and environmental campaigns.
Chipotle Mexican Grill are among those who are against the mistreatment of animals and boast their animal friendly supply chain and have produced high profile adverts critical of intensive farming methods which include feeding the animals artificial chemical supplements and antibiotics.
Pork farmers trade groups continue to support the use of gestation crates and large, crowded indoor pens which offer little or no stimulus, however, they say that they will make changes if that's what the market demands of them. America's largest pork producer, Smithfield Foods is a third of its way into move all of its sows from gestation stalls into "group housing systems" where the animals are at least able to move around and associate with one another.
Some chains have been working with suppliers for some time to bring animal welfare up to a standard the average person on the street would find acceptable, Burger King even have an award from PETA in recognition for their commitment to improving animal care. As McDonalds purchase around 1% of pork produced in the US they have a lot of leverage with the farmers and it's quite certain, according to Tom Vilsack, US Department of Agriculture secretary, that they see it as a "market opportunity."
Reacting to the concerns for animal welfare pig farmers are being requested by fast food manufacturers across the board as well as the Humane Society to stop using the pens which "are not a sustainable production system" in favour of alternatives which are "better for the welfare of the sows."
The announcement of these requests to pig farmers is a part of many of the major restaurant chains ambition to persuade their consumers that they are in fact animal friendly as awareness of intensive farming practices grows among consumers. It's hoped that the measures will improve their public image as they come under pressure from concerned consumers, animal welfare groups and environmental campaigns.
Chipotle Mexican Grill are among those who are against the mistreatment of animals and boast their animal friendly supply chain and have produced high profile adverts critical of intensive farming methods which include feeding the animals artificial chemical supplements and antibiotics.
Pork farmers trade groups continue to support the use of gestation crates and large, crowded indoor pens which offer little or no stimulus, however, they say that they will make changes if that's what the market demands of them. America's largest pork producer, Smithfield Foods is a third of its way into move all of its sows from gestation stalls into "group housing systems" where the animals are at least able to move around and associate with one another.
Some chains have been working with suppliers for some time to bring animal welfare up to a standard the average person on the street would find acceptable, Burger King even have an award from PETA in recognition for their commitment to improving animal care. As McDonalds purchase around 1% of pork produced in the US they have a lot of leverage with the farmers and it's quite certain, according to Tom Vilsack, US Department of Agriculture secretary, that they see it as a "market opportunity."
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