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Group wants food companies to ‘Quit Stalling’ on gestation stall commitments

A global animal rights organization says several major food-related companies may be failing to follow through on their promises to eliminate gestation stalls from their pork supply chains.

The organization called World Animal Protection says that, out of 56 companies that committed to sourcing gestation stall-free pork, nearly one-third no longer have language in their public materials affirming their commitment. The group says only 16 companies are currently reporting publicly that they are making progress towards or have achieved full implementation of their commitments.

Some of the companies cited for a lack of transparency on the issue are Marriott, Burger King, Wendy’s, Target, Quiznos and Dine Brands, which includes Applebee’s and IHOP.

Between 2012 and 2015, numerous companies garnered press attention and praise from animal rights groups for setting goals to end the use of gestation stalls in their pork supply chains.  But World Animal Protection says progress has been slow and claims about 75 percent of sows are still housed in gestation stalls.

The group has issued a report on the issue entitled Quit Stalling.