According to a Reuters report, Safeway Inc (NYSE:SWY) has opted to stop using pork suppliers that cage pregnant sows, a practice long condemned by those who have even an ounce of compassion.
Brian Dowling, Safeway’s Vice-President of Public Affairs plainly stated, “We think there are more sustainable pork production methods.” The caging practice, which essentially relegates the pregnant sow to conditions one usually associates with veal production, is actually a fairly common practice in the pork industry. It’s because of that reality Safeway has said the phase-out date for the use of these pork suppliers will be over a “long period.”
Safeway’s decision to change its supplying habits is not to be underestimated. This has been an issue that has long been fought between US farmers and ethically-responsible carnivores.
The agribusiness sector as spent a staggering $123.8 million on lobbying efforts in 2011 alone while animal rights activists have poured tens of thousands of dollars towards lobbying for hog raising regulations in six different states.
The National Pork Producers Council decried this decision by Safeway, saying it could lead to a trend in other grocery stores and restaurants kowtowing to animal rights groups and drive up the prices of meat.
My response. . .
No asshole, this could lead to Americans eating responsibly raised pork, and not kowtowing to those who treat animals like soulless widgets.
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