Walmart Announces New Animal Welfare and Antibiotic Positions

On Friday Walmart and Sam’s Club announced new positions around animal welfare and the responsible use of antibiotics in farm animals, as a next step in continuously improving the sustainability of items it sells. Walmart is committed to a sustainable supply chain and food system, which means offering customers choices and transparency into how their food is grown and raised, and helping to further the fair treatment of animals.
Field reporter Greg Martin shares some of what Walmart will be expecting of their suppliers
Martin: “Walmart will work with supply chain partners and is asking their suppliers to report and take disciplinary and corrective action in cases of animal abuse; to find and implement solutions to address welfare concerns in housing systems, pain procedures and euthanasia or slaughter; and promote transparency by providing progress reports to Walmart and publicly reporting their own corporate animal welfare position on an annual basis.”
Thanks, Greg.
As far as antibiotic use in farm animals, the press release continues by stating that Walmart believes that antibiotics should be used responsibly in farm and animals and asks suppliers to adopt and implement the Judicious Use Principles of Antimicrobial Use form the American Veterinary Medical Association including accurate record-keeping,veterinary oversight and limiting antimicrobial treatment to animals that are ill or at risk; to eliminate growth promotion uses of medically important antibiotics as well as requesting suppers to promote transparency by providing a report on antibiotics management to Walmart and publicly report antibiotic use on an annual basis.