PETA Calls Off McDonald’s Campaign

September 7, 2000

The animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has called off its campaign against McDonald’s for the company’s treatment of chickens raised for its restaurant menus. Instead, PETA said has "concluded that it will give McDonald's a break for one year to allow the company to concentrate on taking further steps" but did allow the firm had made "major improvements" in the way chickens are raised.

McDonald’s said the changes made had nothing to do with the PETA campaign.

Late last month, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) commended McDonald's Corporation for implementing new regulations for its egg suppliers to improve the treatment of hens, "taking the first step as a major U.S. food supplier, to improve conditions for egg-laying chickens in this country," according to HSUS.

"One of the more positive aspects of this move is that it brings the issue of humane treatment of farm animals into the public forum," said David Kuemmerle, HSUS program manager for Farm Animals and Sustainable Agriculture.

One of the improvements in hen treatment that will have a significant impact on both animal welfare and human health involves the practice of "forced molting," in which food may be withheld from hens for up to 14 days, HSUS said.

PETA wants McDonald’s to phase out purchases from suppliers who raise hens in battery cages; sell only chickens raised in a "truly free-roaming" environment; insist that suppliers not breed chickens for weight; require that slaughterhouses effectively stun chickens before slaughter and take other steps that PETA considers less cruel to other animals from which meat is used in McDonald’s restaurants (cattle and hogs).

The HSUS said expanding the space for caged laying hens by 50% was an improvement but it did "not compare with improvements occurring in the European egg industry, in which hens will be given the opportunity to stretch their wings, dust bathe and perch."