First step towards animal-welfare-friendly meat

Published: 12 February, 2008

In response to discussions with the Humane Society of the United States, Safeway have announced new policies to work with pork and poultry suppliers that prioritise animal welfare. Meatingplace.com say that the US retailer has begun an initiative to increase the amount of pork purchased from North American suppliers that are phasing out gestation crates to confine sows.

Safeway will give buying preference to vendors who are moving away from gestation crates, with plans to purchase an additional 5% of pork from such vendors in year one, 10% in year two and 15% in year three of the initiative.

Safeway also said it will give buying preference to poultry processors in North America that use controlled-atmosphere slaughter systems. This will make Safeway one of the first major retailers to undertake such an effort and sends an important message to suppliers and customers about such issues.

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