Mc Donalds is becoming a bit kinder to pigs. See the February 13, 2012 article, "McDonald's treats pigs a little better - Supply Chain Digital." At last Mc Donald's restaurant empire will stop using pig-cruel pens that confine pregnant pigs in gestation to tiny spaces where they can't move very much.
McDonald’s announced yesterday of its intention to comply with the long-standing demand of animal rights advocates that it end the use of sow crates. Up until now pigs have been crammed into gestation stalls while pregnant. But Mc Donald's now reports that this way of treating pigs are not a sustainable production system for the future. What alternatives can you think of that are much better for the welfare of sows?
It's all about the suppliers of meat to McDonalds for those rib sandwiches, sausages, and other pork products served to millions of people. The company will now be requiring that its suppliers house their pigs outside or in large cages, allowing sows a more humane life than they were reduced to under the steel penning system.
Compare Chipotle to McDonalds. McDonald's made the announcement after rival Chipotle Mexican Grill debuted a TV commercial during the Grammy's about its longtime crate ban, according to the Los Angeles Times article. Chipotle began requiring its pork suppliers to raise pigs outside or in large cages and use antibiotic-free and vegetarian food 11 years ago.
McDonald’s spun off Chipotle in 2006. Chipotle has had the same requirements for over a decade. Yet McDonald’s is known around the world and is in a more famous and popular celebrity-type of position to effect real change in the industry.
How many times have you eaten a breakfst egg McMuffins with sausage? That's pig meat unless you ask them to make your egg McMuffin with just eggs and that American cheese with the bright orange coloring in it.
Or have you eaten those breakfast platters with bacon? What about the McRib sandwich featuring pork? Mc Donalds is so huge that it is the buyer for one percent of the entire U. S. pork supply.
What Mc Donalds does with the pork industry in the US could serve as an example for other eateries to follow. What does the Human Society of America have to say about all those pregnant pigs squeezed in little cages during their pregnancy?
Pigs are smart and they shouldn't have to spend a lifetime suffering so people can eat ribs or sausges. But at least McDonald’s made the announcement jointly with representatives from the animal welfare group, according to the article, "McDonald's treats pigs a little better." Also see the February 13, 2012 Los Angeles Times news articles on this subject, McDonald's wants better treatment for pregnant pigs."
Who supplies Mc Donalds with pork products? Cargill and Smithfield Foods, supply some of the products to Mc Donalds. And these supplies have already announced plans to phase out the stalls. Check out Mc Donald's February 13, 2011 PDF file news release, "Mc Donald's Takes Action Toward Ending Gestation Stall Use: Humane Society of the United States Supports Effort."
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