In response to urging by HSUS, McDonald’s USA has announced its participation in a commercial-scale study of housing alternatives for egg-laying hens in the U.S., including cage-free housing. According to the McDonald’s press release, “the study, which expects to involve tens of thousands of hens, will look at the sustainability impacts of different laying hen housing environments on animal health and well-being, safe and affordable food, the environment, and worker welfare.”
Participants in the study include Michigan State University and the University of California, Davis. Along with McDonald’s, study advisors include the American Humane Association, American Veterinary Medical Association, USDA’s Agricultural Research Service, Cargill Incorporated, and the Center for Food Integrity.
A thorough understanding of the full range of sustainability factors regarding hen housing is an important goal of this project,” said Dr. Janice Swanson, MSU. “The Coalition anticipates a multi-year study to factor in seasonal shifts, bird lifecycles, and other factors.”
Dr. Joy Mench, UC Davis, added, “This study will provide critical information that will allow us to better understand how laying hen behavior is accommodated in different housing systems, as well as how these environments affect other aspects of hen welfare.”
But the Humane Society of the United States said the study will likely delay any significant move by McDonald's into the U.S. "cage-free" egg market, according to an article by the Chicago Tribune. Accordingly, the HSUS submitted a resolution to McDonald's shareholders to mandate phased-in use of cage-free eggs. The proposal, however, was voted down by shareholders at the company’s annual meeting. To read McDonald’s current policy on animal welfare as it relates to the eggs it uses in its restaurants, including its laying hens guidelines, click here.
On Tuesday, Wendy’s became the most recent fast-food chain to adopt a policy requiring space requirements for laying hens. Several other chains, including Quizno's, Burger King (NYTimes article, free subscription required), Denny’s, Hardee's and Carl's Jr. also have cage-free requirements for at least a portion of their egg purchases.
Posted: 05/28/09
