Sow stall issue could heat up in board rooms

The debate about whether or not hog farmers should use gestation stalls could be decided in corporate board rooms rather than on farms by animal care providers and veterinarians.

Dan Grant

Published: Oct 4, 2012

That, at least, appears to be the goal of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).

HSUS, which was instrumental in persuading food retailers such as McDonald’s and Burger King to announce intentions to phase out procurement of pork from farmers who use stalls, recently unveiled another target.

Wayne Pacelle, HSUS president, confirmed he is seeking a spot on Tyson Foods’ board of directors in an attempt to convince the company to eliminate the use of stalls, the Associated Press (AP) reported.

HSUS owns stock in Tyson Foods and has tried in the past to get the company to change its production policies.

“It’s one thing to be on the outside and asking for animal welfare concerns to be elevated within the company,” Pacelle told the AP. “It’s another thing to try to do it from the inside.”

A Tyson spokesperson told the AP the company is committed to humane animal treatment and expects the same from farmers in its meat production system.

Pork producers have taken notice of HSUS’ strategy and also plan to increase their presence in corporate board rooms of food retailers.

The National Pork Board (NPB) plans to increase direct communication with decision-makers at the top food retail chains nationwide to help them understand modern pork production methods.

“We think we need to be in that conversation,” Dereke Dunkirk, president of the Illinois Pork Producers Association, told FarmWeek. “We believe that producers should have the freedom to make the decision of what (housing system) works best on their operation.”

Permalink: Click here

Comments

Read comments from others and share your own thoughts.

Please provide the answer to the following question:

=

Search this site:

Read More Stories

NASS will survey Illinois farmers in June for major reports

As with all NASS surveys, information provided by respondents is confidential by law.

Read this story


Racing for Ag Literacy

More than 360 adult and child runners, and volunteers gathered in Bloomington on May 11 for the IAA Foundation's third annual 5K Grow and Go. The IAA Foundation is on track to raise $15,000 for Illinois Ag in the Classroom from the support of sponsors and participants.

Read this story


Illinois farmers catch up on corn planting

In its weekly update, USDA says 74% of the state's corn crop is now planted compared to the long-term average of 77% for the date.

Read this story

IFB: RFS2 waiver would be 'highly ineffective'

USDA Deputy Secretary visits McLean County farms

Second IFB leadership academy class graduates

Farmers changing nitrogen applications, efficiency

FMCSA announces changes to trucking regulations

Cook County tax review commissioner gains farm views

Internet access, computer classes win-win

Market Study Tour Day Four-Part Two

Shift in fertilizer production could prove costly to farmers

Dairy farmers produce more milk with fewer cows

Top 50 Tags