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UPDATE: Walmart urged to demand safer practices for pigs, releases statement


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Reported by: Dustin Barnes
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Updated: 7/19/2012 11:13 am Published: 7/18/2012 5:08 pm

The actions and the sounds will make you cringe.

A Mercy for Animals representative says he went undercover working ten weeks at a Minnesota farm early this year and recorded the disturbing images.

The pigs are crammed into gestation crates with no room to move around or lay down for much of their lives.

"Common sense tells us that animals should, at a minimum, be given the freedom to walk, stretch their limbs, and engage in other natural behaviors," Becca Frye, Mercy for Animal's education director.

As a result of the video, Mercy for Animals said a number of food providers and grocery retailers have demanded Christensen Farms get rid of the crates.

But they say Walmart hasn't said a word.

"Walmart not only has the ethical responsibility but also the enormous purchasing power to ensure the pork sold in its stores is not a product of egregious animal abuse."

FOX16 worked the phone this afternoon. We left a message for Walmart and Christensen Farms.

On the farm's website, they address the video with this statement.

It reads in part: "The company performs periodic internal audits in addition to utilizing external expertise to provide input and perspective on production practices including animal welfare standards."

"As a civilized society, it's our moral obligation to make sure all animals are protected from needless suffering, including farmed animals," Frye said.

Statement from Walmart

From Walmart Spokeswoman Deisha Galberth Barnett:

“We will not tolerate animal mistreatment by our suppliers. As soon as we were made aware of the video, we immediately reached out to our suppliers who source from this farm. If we determine that there was mistreatment, we will take action.

We currently offer gestation crate-free pork products in a number of stores across the U.S.

We have been having and will continue on-going discussions with our suppliers, NGOs and food safety experts to find ways to increase that number.

We believe in offering our customers a choice.”

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trapper - 7/19/2012 9:57 AM
0 Votes
Animal rights Activist may not understand what goes on on a farm. But we need to stop giving into them. Their ultimate goal is is complete vegetarian vegan life style. They need to be stopped now.

itsjustme - 7/19/2012 7:38 AM
1 Vote
Do they want the farmers to pet them on the day they head to the slaughter house also?

Butch54 - 7/19/2012 6:49 AM
0 Votes
I often wonder how it would effect the economy if you keep putting urine in their Post Toasties and they decide to shut the doors . Why should they worry. They have theirs. Think of the millions of jobless it would create. They aren't asking for a pat on the back for the many things they do. So why be so petty as to kick them for the few things they don't. Boycott them. That would be like taking water out of Beaver Lake with an eye dropper hoping to dry it up. How many do you think will do it. Stupidity comes in many forms.

Butch54 - 7/19/2012 6:26 AM
0 Votes
Why do people always want to shift responsibility from the guilty to others. Why is it up to to Walmart to police farmers. I would think there are enough other agencies out there being paid by tax dollars to do this. Maybe they should git up off the old gas factory and put those tax dollars to good work instead of wasting them on 100 dollar pencils. I guess it's just east to kick a company that supplies so many jobs, does so much disaster relief, opens it markets to the little producer of produce, and many more great things. Then think about how their presence in the market creates a competitive force that fights to lower prices. With their busy schedule I guess they thought the people responsible should do their job. I often wonder why they worry about it anymore. My wife is a long time employee. We lived our past, present, and will retire looking good because of what Walmart has stood for. I dare say many more will too. How many of you know that the salary cap for that person checking you out is like 15 dollars an hour. Ethical! How much must one do to look ethical.

EThomas - 7/18/2012 10:08 PM
1 Vote
The castration and docking of tails is in no way abusive it is how it's been done. The "cages" are called ferrowing crates and are designed to keep the piglets safe. Without them the mother pig could potentially lay on her piglets smothering them. I agree they shouldn't be kept in there all of their life but you do place them in the crates before labor to accommodate them to the pen. They can stand up when they want it just slows their decent. I hope this helps.

Anonymous - 7/18/2012 9:56 PM
0 Votes
We have laws on animal cruelty, and I see nothing less than just that in this situation. The laws should also protect farmed animals. These animals are no different from the next. And if Wal-mart will not support this and make it clear that they will not sell the meat of these cruel behaviors, then I will have to boycott them. I am an animal lover and I understand the cycle of life but torture and abuse are just that.

Anonymous - 7/18/2012 9:55 PM
1 Vote
We have laws on animal cruelty, and I see nothing less than just that in this situation. The laws should also include farmed animals. These animals are no different from the next. And if Wal-mart will not support this and make it clear that they will not sell the meat of these cruel behaviors, then I will have to boycott them. I am an animal lover and I understand the cycle of life but torture and abuse are just that.

Zeebaneighba - 7/18/2012 9:36 PM
1 Vote
Temple Grandin would make the perfect consultant for this particular situation.

jcarpe - 7/18/2012 9:36 PM
1 Vote
Poor little pigs.I agree though that they should not be abused.
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