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Walmart releases position statement on farm animal welfare

Walmart, and its membership-model outlet Sam's Club, recently released a statement lining out its position on farm animal welfare.

May 27, 2015

Walmart, and its membership-model outlet Sam's Club, recently released a statement lining out its position on farm animal welfare. In the statement the world's top retailer said:

Our customers and members count on Walmart and Sam’s Club to deliver affordable products in a way that is sustainable for people and for the planet. To meet those needs, we work with partners all along the supply chain to improve the sustainability of products we sell. We do this while working to offer quality products, everyday low prices and putting customers in charge of their food choices by helping provide clear, accurate information about food ingredients and production.

Farm animals provide an important and nutritious source of protein. There is growing public interest in how food is produced and consumers have questions about whether current practices match their values and expectations about the well-being of farm animals. Animal science plays a central role in guiding these practices, but does not always provide clear direction. Increasingly, animal welfare decisions are being considered through a combination of science and ethics.

We recognize that farm animals play an important role in providing nutritious meat, dairy and eggs to our customers and members. We believe that farm animals in our supply chain should be treated humanely throughout their lives and that the welfare of farm animals should be considered in selection of all production systems, practices and technologies. Walmart U.S. and Sam’s Club U.S. are committed to continuous improvement in the welfare of farm animals in our supply chain.

First, we expect that our suppliers will not tolerate animal abuse of any kind.

Second, we support the globally-recognized “Five Freedoms” of animal welfare as an aspiration for animal welfare in our supply chain:

• Freedom from Hunger and Thirst – by providing ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health and vigor.
• Freedom from Discomfort – by providing appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area.
• Freedom from Pain, Injury or Disease – by ensuring prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment.
• Freedom to Express Normal Behavior – by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal’s own kind.
• Freedom from Fear and Distress – by ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering.

Third, we will work with our supply chain partners to implement practices consistent with the Five Freedoms of animal welfare.

Walmart and Sam's Club are also its suppliers to follow its lead asking suppliers of fresh and frozen meat, deli, dairy and egg suppliers to:

Report to authorities and take appropriate disciplinary and corrective action in any cases of animal abuse.

Adopt and implement the principles of the Five Freedoms in their own operations and industry producer programs, and publish a corporate policy on animal welfare.

Find and implement solutions to address animal welfare concerns including, but not limited to:

a. Housing systems that lack sufficient space, enrichment or socialization (for example, sow gestation crates, hen battery cages and veal crates);
b. Painful procedures where avoidable or without pain management (for example, tail docking, de-horning and castration);
c. Euthanasia or slaughter without rendering an animal insensible to pain.

Promote transparency by providing an animal welfare report to Walmart and publicly reporting against their animal welfare policy on an annual basis.   

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia Commons