Smithfield Pork Eliminating Pig Gestation Crate Use by All Contractors, Humane Society

[Beringia]

Last edited Thu Jan 9, 2014, 02:30 PM - Edit history (1)

by Wayne Pacelle, Humane Society of US

One day, in the not too distant future, all people will regard the era of immobilizing sows in crates barely larger than their bodies as a sad chapter in the history of American agriculture.

In 2007, Smithfield Foods, the world’s largest pork company, broke new ground by announcing that by 2017, 100 percent of its company-owned breeding operations would be free of these iron maidens. But while a majority of the breeding pigs in Smithfield’s supply system are in company-owned facilities, a very large portion still come from contractors. This gap meant that a very substantial population of “Smithfield” pigs would be left to linger in gestation crates indefinitely. Today, Smithfield announced that it will correct that deficiency.

Following recent announcements from more than 60 of the world’s largest food retailers – McDonald’s, Burger King, Safeway, Costco, Oscar Mayer and dozens more – that they will eliminate gestation crates from their supply chains, Smithfield has decided to extend its gestation crate phase-out plan to the independent contractors in its breeding system. Specifically, Smithfield is telling its contractors that if they make plans to get rid of their gestation crates, they’ll have their contracts extended; if they refuse to convert, their contracts are unlikely to be renewed.

Smithfield’s continued progress toward ending the lifelong confinement of sows means that other big players in the industry have little room to maneuver. The fact is, Tyson Foods, Seaboard, and other major pork producers are increasingly out of step not only with the American public, but with their own industry and their customers.


Claymation video by a 13-year-old named Kyle Kelleher. With a chilling narration, Kelleher gives us a glimpse into what it’s like to be a pig in a gestation crate.

(Yay for Smithfield, however I read Smithfield was bought by a Chinese company in September 2013. Knowing China's very bad reputation on treatment of animals, I am glad they are listening to the public and the fast food chains in America).

http://hsus.typepad.com/wayne/2014/01/smithfield-closes-gap-gestation-crates.html

Gestation Crates



Group Sow Housing

[sharp_stick]

1. That's great news.

The pressure on the factory farms has to be maintained. McDonalds, Burger King and the rest would never have ordered the change if their customers didn't demand it from them.

Gestation crating is done for the convenience of the factory farm nothing more. They argue that sows form hierarchies and fight when group housed. It's true but any real farmer will tell you that if they are well fed, comfortable (straw bedding etc.), kept together as litter groups and socialized throughout life with farmers and each other they are happier and produce larger and healthier offspring.

[Beringia]

2. Happier pigs

Good to hear about those farmers saying it is better for everyone.

[Beringia]

3. Claymation on gestation crate by 13 year old

Claymation video by a 13-year-old named Kyle Kelleher. With a chilling narration, Kelleher gives us a glimpse into what it’s like to be a pig in a gestation crate.