Dear Supporter,
In 2012 Costco sent a letter to its suppliers telling them that they wanted a complete phase of gestation crates from their supply chain by 2022. Unfortunately, in an update to its animal welfare policy last month, Costco now tells us that only one of its brands, Kirkland Signature, will be crate free by 2022 -- with no clear plan forward for its many other pork products.
This news came just days after Costco announced its worldwide transition to cage free eggs, stating that its focus on animal welfare "is the right thing to do" and "failure to provide adequately for the welfare of animals throughout Costco's supply chain could have significant adverse effects on the business and operations of the company and its investors".
If you feel that Costco's concern for the treatment of animals in its supply chain should also include pregnant pigs, please let them know!
Costco members can share their concern in the following ways:
- Call 1-800-774-2678 - Option #1. Have your membership number handy.
- Chat online - Select Warehouse/Membership, followed by Product Information
- Email - costcocare@costco.com
Costco members and non-members can provide feedback on their website. Select website/product availability.
You can follow this script or come up with a polite version of your own: "I was disappointed that the recent update to your animal welfare policy represented a step backwards for your gestation crate policy. Previously, Costco was committed to ending the use of gestation crates throughout its supply chain by 2022. Costco now says that only its Kirkland Signature will be crate free by 2022. I believe that retailers are responsible for the well being of all the animals in its supply chain, and hope that Costco lives up to its promise to do so. How can I register my displeasure with your new policy and request that you revisit your plan of a crate free plan for all of your pork products? I want to buy crate free pork at Costco!
One policy change from a company like Costco can make a lifetime of difference for hundreds of thousands of animals. Thank you for speaking out!
For the animals,
Crate Free Illinois