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Tyson discourages use of gestation crates

Tyson Foods today sent a letter to its pork contractors urging them to improve housing for gestating sows and to make some other changes to make their production methods more humane. The moves were praised by the Humane Society of the United States.

“We urge pork producers to improve housing systems for gestating sows by focusing on both the quality and quantity of space provided,” Tyson Foods Inc. officials wrote.

“Whether it involves gestation stalls, pens or some other type of housing, we believe future sow housing should allow sows of all sizes to stand, turn around, lie down and stretch their legs. We’re asking the contract farmers who manage Tyson-owned sows to implement improved ‘quality and quantity of space’ standards in the design of any newly built or redesigned gestation barns beginning in 2014. We also strongly encourage the hog farmers who sell market hogs to Tyson to improve quantity and quality of space standards for sows when they or their piglet suppliers re-design or build new gestation barns.”

HSUS President Wayne Pacelle in a statement called the language on sow gestation crate confinement “the stand-out” of the letter, but said the letter’s message fell short.

“Unfortunately, Tyson’s letter does not mandate anything of its suppliers with regard to sow housing, nor does it outline any timeline by which alternative housing systems must be in place,” Pacelle said.

“Nonetheless, this is big movement from an important company. Tyson may still have a ways to go when it comes to shoring up a gestation crate-free supply system, but its first steps on this issue — like all steps on the path toward a more humane way of living or conducting business — are most welcome.”

Smithfield Foods, Inc. and its hog production subsidiary, Murphy-Brown LLC, announced Monday they are recommending sow growers join with the company in converting to group housing systems for pregnant sows.