Date: Fri, 08 Feb 2002 22:25:23 -0800 From: radtimes <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Safeway facing PETA boycott
Safeway facing PETA boycott <http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/chronicle/archive/2002/02/06/BU121974.DTL> Animal-rights activists call for better treatment of livestock by Jenny Strasburg, Chronicle Staff Writer Wednesday, February 6, 2002 Pleasanton supermarket chain Safeway Inc. today becomes the latest boycott target of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, the animal- rights activist group. PETA said yesterday that it is urging consumers to avoid shopping at Safeway stores because of what PETA views as inhumane treatment of animals by companies that supply beef, pork and chicken to Safeway supermarkets. In a press release, PETA said "Safeway has refused to take steps to ensure that its suppliers are not dismembering fully conscious animals or engaging in other abuses." Safeway's Brian Dowling, vice president for public affairs, said yesterday that the grocery chain buys only from responsible suppliers and frequently visits those suppliers to ensure product quality, safety and the humane treatment of animals. "We buy meat and poultry from the same mainstream, reputable sources as our competition," Dowling said. He added that if PETA believes slaughterhouses are mistreating animals, the group should file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which has formal oversight. This is PETA's first Safeway boycott. It has previously gone after McDonald's, Burger King and Wendy's in similar actions, resulting in stricter guidelines for the handling of cattle and chickens by fast-food suppliers, according to PETA. Safeway became a supermarket industry leader after it pledged it would not test Safeway-brand products on animals, PETA spokesman Bruce Friedrich said yesterday, adding that the grocery chain has neglected to uphold that pledge in recent years. Dowling, however, said Safeway still stands by its pledge, which it made in the early 1990s. PETA plans to announce its Safeway boycott at noon today in San Francisco in front of the Serrano Hotel. Friedrich said PETA seeks a commitment that the chain will hold suppliers to higher standards for animal handling by requiring independent audits of slaughterhouse practices. Safeway Inc. reported last month that its 2001 fourth-quarter income increased 28 percent compared with the same quarter a year ago, during which period it suffered a 47-day strike at a distribution site in Tracy. Fourth- quarter net income rose to $384.1 million (76 cents per share) compared with $299.1 million (58 cents) in the year-ago period. ----------- E-mail Jenny Strasburg at [EMAIL PROTECTED]
