– Hidden camera alleges to show animal abuse at McDonald’s supplier (The Globe And Mail, Oct 21, 2013):
Mercy for Animals Canada says hidden camera captured abusive treatment, cruel conditions for birds at Ku-Ku Farms and Creekside Grove Farms, which supplies chicks that lay eggs for McDonald’s Egg McMuffins. McDonald’s has not commented on the specific allegations but a spokeswomanhas said, “Abuse is never tolerated in our supply chain and McDonald’s has strict policies in place concerning the treatment of animals that our suppliers must adhere to at all times. We also work with our suppliers and outside experts to continuously improve our standards and practices, both within McDonald’s and across the industry”
– McDonald’s defends suppliers after graphic video of animal cruelty surfaces (The Globe And Mail, Oct 21, 2013):
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“They’re so crammed inside those cages they can’t spread their wings, they can’t walk, they can’t turn around, they can’t engage in any of their natural behaviour,” said Stephane Perrais, director of operations with Mercy For Animals Canada.
“They spend one year of their miserable life in there, basically producing eggs and after that time period, they’re considered spent by the industry because their productivity is declined, and then they’re slaughtered.”
The group says the footage was taken by an undercover investigator who was hired as a farm worker by Ku-Ku Farms and Creekside Grove Farms for 10 weeks in May.
The video also shows dead hens rotting in the cages, and chicks being covered in feces.
A statement said McDonald’s said it does not condone animal abuse by its suppliers.
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“We care about the humane treatment of animals and believe they should be free from cruelty, abuse and neglect,” said spokeswoman Karin Campbell in the written statement emailed to The Canadian Press.
“Abuse is never tolerated in our supply chain and McDonald’s has strict policies in place concerning the treatment of animals that our suppliers must adhere to at all times. We also work with our suppliers and outside experts to continuously improve our standards and practices, both within McDonald’s and across the industry.”
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The animal rights group is planning to hold news conferences on Monday at Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto.