McDonald's to increase pork purchases from group-housed sows in 2022
The company expects to source 85-90% of its pork from group-housed sows
21 February 2022
1 minute read
By: By the end of 2022, McDonald's expects to source 85% to 90% of its US pork volumes from sows not housed in gestation crates during pregnancy, the company said in a press release. The company's board of directors issued a statement in response to a director notification nomination from Carl Icahn, which relates to a issue regarding McDonald's pork commitment that the Humane Society US introduced through a shareholder proposal.
According to the release, McDonald's sources only approximately 1% of US pork production and does not own any sows, or produce or package pork in the United States. However, the board of directors said the company became the first major brand to make a commitment to source from producers who do not use gestational crates for pregnant sows in 2012.
Despite industry-wide challenges for farmers, McDonald's expects 100% of its US pork will come from sows housed in groups during pregnancy by the end of 2024.
Melanie Epp
Melanie Epp is a freelance agricultural journalist from Ontario, Canada.
