The Kroger Co. has begun informing suppliers of a new policy statement regarding gestation crates that are used to house pregnant sows.
Kroger says in a news release that it has science-based standards for animal welfare and works diligently to ensure that its suppliers treat animals humanely. Over the past few months, the company has reviewed the opinions of animal welfare experts and other experts regarding the use of gestation crates for pregnant sows and has concluded that there are many ways to humanely house sows.
Kroger believes that a gestation crate-free environment is more humane and that the pork industry should work toward gestation crate-free housing for pregnant sows.
The company is encouraging its suppliers to accelerate this already-occurring transition in the Kroger supply-chain. Kroger also wants customers to know that this is a transition that may take many years.
Kroger has long been a leader in animal welfare, the news release says. More than a decade ago, the Cincinnati, Ohio-based company urged the industry to create meaningful animal welfare standards that are still used today. Kroger regularly audits its suppliers to ensure animals are raised, transported, and processed as humanely as possible.
