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Consumers want to know how animals are cared for

Minnesota-based General Mills has released a refresh of the company’s global policy on animal welfare.  Steve Peterson, director of sustainable sourcing at General Mills says the “refresh” has two main purposes: working towards 100 percent cage free eggs for U.S. operations and expanding the company’s animal welfare standards to all species used by General Mills.

No specific implementation date has been set for cage free laying operations, Peterson says the industry is currently facing a big challenge with avian influenza and they did not want to complicate the situation.  Some contend there will be a loss of productivity by moving away from cage-layers but Peterson says the industry is bringing innovation and technology to bear around new practices which will result in similar productivity without the cages.

The company is also working to understand the issues of pain relief for dairy cows including de-horning, tail docking and castration.  General Mills supports the development and use of polled genetics in the dairy industry, Peterson says they realize this is going to be a long process to develop a polled dairy cow without sacrificing milk production.  Until dehorning is no longer needed, GM supports the use of best management practices including the use of analgesics or anesthetics in dehorning.

In pork production, General Mills supports the development of pregnant sow housing alternatives and has asked suppliers to provide actionable plans by 2017 to end the use of gestation crates in the U.S. pork supply chain.  The company is working to address pain relief and potential elimination of castration and tail docking in pigs.

They are also looking at potential animal welfare issues associated with fast-growth in broilers and turkeys.

In addition, in an effort to preserve effectiveness, General Mills supports the FDA’s effort to end the routine use of antibiotic drugs to promote growth in livestock.

The main driver behind the effort is “a growing consumer interest in where their food comes from and how it is cared for all the way along its journey.”  Peterson adds, sustainability is a journey it is not a destination and there is a link between sustainability or stewardship and profitability.

Listen to Peterson’s comments here: