Nestle Takes Influential Stand Against Cruelty to Animals

Food manufacturer Nestlé has announced its commitment to improving farmed animal welfare across its entire global supply chain—covering over 90 countries—in what may be the most comprehensive and far-reaching animal welfare policy of its kind. The announcement follows the release of hidden-camera video taken by Mercy For Animals at a Nestlé dairy supplier in Wisconsin showing workers viciously kicking, beating and stabbing cows and dragging “downed” cows by their fragile legs and necks using chains attached to tractors. After exposing horrific animal abuse at a Nestlé supplier, Mercy For Animals praised the food company giant for its comprehensive, industry-leading animal welfare policy reform.

Citing the need for continuous improvement in animal welfare, Nestlé has announced it will eliminate many of the cruelest forms of institutionalized animal abuse from its supply chain, including an end to the practices of tail docking and dehorning of dairy cattle, an end to the castration of piglets without painkillers, and the phaseout of growth promoters for poultry. The mega company has also committed to ending the intensive confinement of baby calves in veal crates, pregnant pigs in gestation crates, and egg-laying hens in battery cages.

“Mercy For Animals praises Nestlé for stepping up to the plate to improve the lives of farmed animals on a global level,” said Nathan Runkle, the organization’s president. “We are heartened that Nestlé not only took notice, but also took action, after egregious cruelty was exposed at one of its dairy suppliers. Nestlé’s new industry-leading policy will reduce the suffering of millions of animals each year and hopefully inspire other food providers to implement and enforce similar animal welfare requirements.

“While there is still work to be done, Nestlé’s new policy represents the most sweeping animal welfare policy ever adopted by a major food distributor. We hope that the rest of the food industry will follow Nestlé’s lead in prohibiting the cruel confinement of animals in cages barely larger than their bodies, mutilations without painkillers, and other inhumane practices.

To learn more about Mercy For Animals’ undercover investigations, please visit www.MercyForAnimals.org