8/29 Eliminating Gestation Crates For Pigs

Category: Vegan Challenge

Sometimes when you believe in something so strongly, it is difficult to see how a small step is enough.  Perhaps it would be easy to say, “Are you kidding me, this is the least you can do.”  But the reality is that large scale change often takes place in small steps.

The announcement that Subway is choosing to work with vendors who are eliminating gestation crates for pigs is a compassionate step for animals.    Many large scale food industry mega giants are not doing this and are not taking even the slightest steps to improve the lives of animals.  So, it is a great victory, a step in the right direction and I am thrilled.

Briefly, gestation crates are described as small cages that not large enough for the animals to turn around or take more than a step forward or backward, essentially for the duration of their lives.

Along with McDonald’s, Burger King and Wendy’s;  Subway has pledged to work with vendors who agree to eliminate the use of gestation crates for pigs.  They already are doing this in the U.K. and are now applying that policy to their vendors in the U.S. to follow suit.

Here is the text taken from Subway’s website in the Social Responsibility/ Sustainable Sourcing section:

“We support the elimination of crate style housing for gestation sows and have had this eliminated from our pork suppliers in the UK. Also, our pork suppliers in the US have begun to transition to a more humane process including the elimination of gestation crates and anticipate having this process completed within the next 10 years. We will continue to work with suppliers who share our commitment to phasing out gestation stalls as quickly as possible, putting traceability systems in place and using the best animal welfare and handling practices.”

The comic above from HSUS paints the picture in a way that most of us can relate and then by describing it in the caption;  “Basically, you are asking a sow to live in an airline seat”.    Got that picture clearly.  It’s inhumane.

To help further the cause of eliminating the use of gestation crates, you can join the HSUS initiative by signing this petition, where they are asking the government to mandate the elimination of these crates:   HSUS Progress for Pigs Petition. 

Every step forward is a step in the right direction. Making humane decisions mainstream and on a large scale, can get us there even faster.

Have a thoughtful and delicious day.

 

 

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August 29th, 2012
2 comments so far

Please leave a comment

  1. Isabella Luger Says:
    August 30th, 2012 at 7:38 am

    Awwww those little pigs are so cute I did not know they did that to pigs that is so inhumane and sad. How could people help prevent this?

  2. Sherry Says:
    August 31st, 2012 at 10:48 am

    I know Isabella, it is so very inhumane and most of us aren’t aware that these conditions are common and not unique. As hard as it is to see, we should know how animals are actually treated before becoming our meals. That way, when we decide what we eat, we can do so from a place of being fully informed.
    We can all help prevent the use of gestation crates. Here are a few simple ways.

    1. Reduce or eliminate your consumption of pork products (ie. bacon, ham, spareribs..) because even eating less will decrease demand.
    2. If you are over 18, sign the HSUS (Humane Society of the United States) Progress For Pigs Petition https://secure.humanesociety.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=5699&s_src=fb_apionline5699082812
    3. If you are under 18, encourage conversation about the topic with others and continue to learn more. The PetaKids.com website has great resources for all ages.

    You are never too young or too old to stand up for what you believe is right.