June 29, 2009
PETA urged retail giant to set poultry preference
A PETA representative will present a statement to SUPERVALU, asking the grocery chain to give purchasing preference to poultry suppliers that use "controlled-atmosphere killing" (CAK) when slaughtering poultry.
SUPERVALU is one of the largest grocery chains in the US, reporting US$44.6 billion in net sales for the 2009 fiscal year, and operates more than 2,500 stores.
The way that SUPERVALU's suppliers treat birds could warrant animal abuse charges if the birds were cats or dogs, said PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman.
Consumers care about animal welfare so the last thing SUPERVALU wants is to be associated with animal abuse, said Reiman.
In the letter, PETA will introduce CAK as the best available slaughter technology, which is USDA-approved and backed by top poultry experts in North America and the UK, including a welfare consultant working for SUPERVALU.
The letter noted that SUPERVALU's suppliers use the electronic-immobilisation method, which kills the birds while they were still conscious and who also suffer broken bones, bruising, and hemorrhaging. That in turn lowers product quality and potential profits at facilities that use this method, the letter said.
Birds are often scalded to death in defeathering tanks, and when that happens the birds frequently defecate in the tanks, further increasing product contamination and decreasing profits, the letter said.
The letter pointed out that animals are also prone to abuse from frustrated workers, and frightened birds could increase worker injuries and create poor working conditions, leading to higher company payout and a high turnover rate.
With CAK, birds are placed in chambers while they are still in their transport crates, and their oxygen is replaced with low levels of carbon dioxide which kills them efficiently and gently, the letter said. The method also does not require workers to handle the birds, which will decrease worker injuries and improve working conditions, and abuse will be eliminated.
CAK will also ensure greatly improved product quality and animal welfare, as no live scalding, dumping and shackling are involved. Contamination rates will also be decreased. Therefore, switching to CAK could ensure better quality products at a lower cost, the letter concluded.
