April 18, 2007

Cargill will not phase out gestation crates

US agri-firm Cargill has denied last week's reports that it is "phasing out" its gestation crates on its sow farms. 

The Kansas-based company was said to be interested in 'phasing out' gestation crates following a letter to animal rights group the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) which calls for an emulation for

Smithfield Foods' action in removing gestation crates.

In response, Cargill said they are already been in the process of transitioning to 'group sow housing' for the last four years and has converted more than half of its production farms.

However, Cargill spokesman Mark Klein said they are not to phase to gestation crates and the reports were "HSUS' interpretation of the letter".

Fast food chain Burger King announced last month it would increase purchases of pork from suppliers that don't keep their animals in crates.

Gestation crates are already banned in the states of Arizona and Florida and the topic is being currently disputed in California, Oregon and Maryland.