Marlys Miller, Editor, Pork Magazine   |   Updated: November 18, 2011

Smithfield Foods officials have denied a request made earlier this week from the Humane Society of the United States to inspect records on the pork producers’ plans to eliminate gestation-sow stalls.

HSUS is a Smithfield shareholder and as such filed the request because it believes Smithfield is not moving forward with its promise that the company would move its gestation sows from stall housing to group-pen housing by 2017.

Smithfield had made that commitment in 2007, but in 2009, citing extreme losses that were occurring across the U.S. pork industry due to skyrocketing feed prices, at least partially driven by ethanol production, as a reason requiring a delay in implementation. Smithfield officials have said that they are not abandoning the initiative.  

"There is no legal basis for this demand made by HSUS to Smithfield," according to a company statement. "We believe this is another unsubstantiated attempt by this organization to support its cause."

HSUS had sent the request to Smithfield's president and chief executive officer, C. Larry Pope, this week, asking to see accounting and board records related to sow housing.

According to Smithfield’s 2011 annual report, approximately 30 percent of company-owned sows will be in housed in group systems by year’s end.

 

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Iowa  |  November, 21, 2011 at 09:10 AM

They have no legal basis to demand the records. They request the records in the name of justice and mercy.

illinois  |  November, 21, 2011 at 10:42 AM

Boy, I'm sure there is a lot of sadness in HSUS land this morning. Good for Smithfield ! Everyone in the livestock industry
needs to quit rolling and playing dead. HSUS and other groups are nothing more than fear terrorists. Lets do to them like
what we have done to Al Qaeda. terminate them

montana  |  November, 21, 2011 at 03:19 PM

Thank Smithfield.
For standing up to HSUS.
Just wish that Mc Donalds had enough guts to do the same.
Don't.
Give In.
Stay Firm.

PA / AZ  |  November, 29, 2011 at 07:39 AM

Typical US - BS and why this country is going down the tubes. One thing rules - the crumbling almighty dollar - regardless of what or who you have to step on to make that buck.
Its embarrassing. McDonalds should be setting an example and a standard NOT playing down to the level that other companies do. Pig Farmers should be ashamed that they don't treat these intelligent animals with more dignity and respect before slaughter.
Interestingly enough that God and Jesus you same people all profess fills your life will not come to save you based on those actions. Typical smoke and mirrors and hypocritical BS. Things that make this country so proud and will one day bring it down.