Costco turns against tight sow pens

Hog stalls
There's been widespread criticism of housing pregnant hogs in stalls, like this one at the University of Minnesota's Southern Research and Outreach Center in Waseca, Minn. Farmers though say it's the most efficient way to raise pigs.
MPR Photo/Mark Steil

By STEVE KARNOWSKI
Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Costco Wholesale Corp. has joined a growing list of retailers and restaurants in asking suppliers to phase out tight confinement pens for pregnant sows.

The company acted after an animal welfare group shot an undercover video showing conditions at one of the chain's pork suppliers.

Gestation stalls have been a major target of groups like Mercy for Animals and the Humane Society of the United States.

Mercy for Animals had been preparing to release a video shot in a sow barn at Minnesota-based Christensen Farms. Costco then gave the group a letter it sent to its pork suppliers Tuesday urging a phase out of the crates by 2022. The group supplied the letter to The Associated Press.

Mercy's director of investigations, Matt Rice, says he commends Costco.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.