Influencing Legislation to Protect Pigs

United States

A coalition of 50 stakeholders led by Mercy For Animals supported Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-TX) in introducing a groundbreaking bill in the House of Representatives—the Pigs and Public Health Act (PPHA, H.R. 8994). The legislation aims to reduce the number of pigs who become too sick, exhausted, or injured to stand or walk and establishes basic protections for pigs during transport and slaughter.

If passed, the bill would prohibit the use of beta-adrenergic agonist drugs in pigs who are not sick. These drugs are used to make pigs grow faster and can cause them to become nonambulatory, or “downed.”

The legislation also requires that pigs be protected in transport from strong winds, rain, and snow; given bedding to prevent slipping; provided access to water; transported only within a range of acceptable temperatures; and allotted enough room to turn around and extend their limbs.

It also seeks to lessen suffering for severely injured pigs by requiring that they be immediately euthanized. Farm facilities would also need to submit reports on downed pigs to the Food Safety and Inspection Service.

Further, the PPHA would create a confidential online portal for agricultural workers to blow the whistle on violations of this bill and worker-safety laws. It would protect these workers from retaliation and require the U.S. Department of Agriculture to release annual public reports of the violations. Finally, the PPHA would require the Food Safety and Inspection Service and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to study and release a report on the pathogens associated with downed pigs to increase transparency into the public health threat created by the pork industry.

Thousands of Mercy For Animals supporters have sent messages to their members of Congress urging them to set these standards for pigs.

Promoting Plant-Based Foods in LA County: New Nutrition Standards

United States

Enacted earlier this year, a new county law supported by Mercy For Animals charges the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health with updating the county’s Nutrition Standards for Prepared Foods, Snacks, and Beverages. This directive aims to encourage and implement plant-based food options in cafeterias across county institutions. Collaborating with Greener by Default and Balanced, we are working closely with the county to ensure that plant-based default policies are included in the updates.

The department recently adopted all our other policy requests, including a requirement to serve at least one plant-based entree and a recommendation to provide two plant-based entrees for every non-plant-based one. Additionally, plant-based alternatives to conventional dairy products must be offered, and it is recommended that plant-based entrees, sides, snacks, desserts, and beverages be priced competitively with their animal-based counterparts.

Currently, seven county departments adhere to these standards for cafes and cafeterias, including the Department of Parks and Recreation, which operates concessions across parks, playgrounds, swimming pools, golf courses, skateparks, and recreation centers, and the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, which operates several cafeterias within its various medical facilities. These include cafeterias in four major hospitals.

Winning a Fundraising Award

United States

Mercy For Animals’ giving club, the Compassion Collective, won first place in the category of digital communications for the Association of Donor Relations Professionals International Stewardship Award. This award recognizes excellence and outstanding accomplishments in donor relations. The Compassion Collective is a group of supporters who give between $1,000 and $25,000 each year. This award demonstrates the unparalleled leadership and drive of our amazing Compassion Collective members in the movement to end factory farming.

Expanding Vegan Options

Mexico

In partnership with our team in Mexico, the restaurant Hacienda de los Morales has introduced their inaugural vegan menu, featuring a four-course meal with two options for each course. This new offering includes a QR code that directs diners to a selection of vegan wines, and the main menu highlights the vegan menu with a dedicated header. The restaurant’s general director, culinary team, and service staff have demonstrated remarkable commitment and enthusiasm throughout the development and launch of this innovative menu.

Holding Companies to Promises

Brazil, United States

We are holding companies accountable by monitoring their adherence to their animal welfare commitments and ensuring they meet their pledged standards.

• Two weeks after our Frankenchickens campaign launch, Whole Foods published their annual impact report, which states that 4% of fresh chicken sold came from breeds certified through the Better Chicken Project, a Global Animal Partnership program.


• We worked with Unilever to publish updates on their progress toward their animal welfare goals, including a commitment to buying cage-free egg credits whenever cage-free eggs are unavailable. The credits support keeping hens out of cages, even if not in the company’s supply chain. Pif Paf Alimentos, a major food producer in Brazil, recently reported 40% cage-free eggs, up from 15% in 2021.


• Hotel Fasano reported progress for five of their seven hotels throughout Brazil. In their most recent ESG report, the hotel franchise announced a 100% transition to cage-free eggs for their operations in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Porto Feliz, and Trancoso and 70% progress in Salvador. The company plans to complete the transition in Belo Horizonte and Angra dos Reis in 2025.


• After conversations and pressure from Mercy For Animals, LSG Group, the world’s second-largest airline caterer, reported cage-free egg progress for the first time. They reported by region with the Americas coming in the highest at 23%.


• Within two months of launching a campaign in Brazil to pressure companies to follow through on their cage-free egg commitments, two targets have published progress. The most recent, Cepêra, announced that they are now 94% cage-free.