Company calls for elimination of gestation stalls for sows;
Commits to more than 10 per cent of egg supply from more humane enriched
hen housing systems by the end of 2013
OAKVILLE, ON, May 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - Tim Hortons today called upon the pork
industry and our suppliers to eliminate gestation stalls for sows and
to develop clear plans and timelines by the end of the year to phase
out these housing systems. We have also set a goal of purchasing at
least 10 per cent of our eggs, representing significantly more than 10
million eggs, from enriched hen housing systems by the end of 2013. We
plan to actively evaluate the industry's capacity to provide eggs from
enriched housing systems, and to progressively increase our commitment
beyond 2013 as additional supply becomes available.
The Company intends to give preferred sourcing to pork suppliers who
have clearly documented plans to phase-out the use of gestation stalls,
and egg suppliers working to phase-in enriched hen housing systems.
Tim Hortons will share next steps in early 2013, after reviewing
industry plans and having further dialogue with the egg and pork
industries and other animal welfare stakeholders.
"We're calling for an end to gestation stalls for sows and to
significantly increase the use of alternative housing systems for hens.
We believe there are better, more humane and sustainable housing
systems that can improve the quality of animals' lives. Striking a
balanced, realistic solution for the farming community, which will need
to make significant investments in new buildings, is also essential, and we fully recognize this will take time," said
Paul House, president and CEO, and executive chairman, Tim Hortons Inc.
In addition to these major commitments, Tim Hortons is planning other
animal welfare initiatives. In 2012, we will commission scientific,
fact-based animal welfare research with leading academic institutions
on sustainable, humane animal housing systems. Further, we plan to
call for a North American-wide summit of restaurant companies
interested in the humane treatment of animals in the restaurant
industry supply chain.
"We hope and expect that our initiatives can help speed up the process
by which farmers and producers will phase out gestation stalls for sows
and move to alternative hen housing systems, so they can in turn meet
industry and guest demand for such products," added House.
These new initiatives build on our commitments announced earlier this
year to source at least one per cent of eggs in our supply chain from
enriched hen housing systems, and to work with the pork industry to
develop long-term, realistic improvements in pork housing systems. Tim
Hortons is committed to achieving meaningful and sustainable progress
in animal welfare in a way that reflects the Company's and our guests'
values.
"The Canadian Federation of Humane Societies congratulates Tim Hortons
on recognizing the importance of good animal welfare by calling on its
suppliers to eliminate the use of gestation stalls," said Barbara
Cartwright, CEO, CFHS. "The CFHS supports all efforts and commitments
towards the sustainable implementation of carefully designed and
managed alternatives to conventional confinement housing systems."
Currently, the egg and pork industries do not have enough hens in
enriched housing or sows not housed in gestation stalls to meet the
restaurant industry's needs on a viable scale. Most hens and sows are
not housed in these systems.
It is estimated that 97 per cent of egg-laying hens in North America are
housed in non-enriched cages. It is estimated that more than 70 per
cent of breeding sows in the U.S. are housed in gestation crates, while
estimates are unknown for Canada as the pork industry has been
downsizing over the last number of years. Enriched hen housing systems
allow for natural hen behaviours such as nesting, scratching and
perching, and similar housing systems are already the standard in the
European Union. In the United States, pending approval, legislation
will require the phase in of enriched hen housing systems over a
15-18-year period.
About Tim Hortons
Tim Hortons is one of the largest publicly-traded restaurant chains in
North America based on market capitalization, and the largest in
Canada. Operating in the quick service segment of the restaurant
industry, Tim Hortons appeals to a broad range of consumer tastes, with
a menu that includes premium coffee, espresso-based hot and cold
specialty drinks including lattes, cappuccinos and espresso shots,
specialty teas, fruit smoothies, home-style soups, fresh sandwiches,
wraps, hot breakfast sandwiches and fresh baked goods, including our
trademark donuts. As of January 1st, 2012, Tim Hortons had 4,014 systemwide restaurants, including 3,295 in
Canada, 714 in the United States and five in the Gulf Cooperation
Council. More information about the Company is available at www.timhortons.com
SOURCE Tim Hortons Inc.
