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

Farmland prices moderate after incredible run

The drop in crop prices in recent months apparently took some steam out of the farmland market. We have comments from Chicago Fed economist David Oppedahl.

Read this story


Northern Illinois small grains program June 20

The event is co-sponsored by the Illinois Wheat Association and U of I Extension.

Read this story


Cash soybean basis levels fall for third day

Some soybean processors are beginning to price beans out to the August and November contracts.

Read this story

Farmland prices moderate after incredible run

Rainy week ahead for Illinois farmers

Northern Illinois small grains program June 20

Cash soybean basis levels fall for third day

Farm Bill key to direct-to-consumer efforts

Drought could have lasting impact on livestock production

Southern Illinois wheat crop in generally good shape

Farm bill key front in staying EPA's hand

IEPA explains implementation of NPDES pesticide permits

Record flooding now forecast for Illinois River

Top 50 Tags