The Global Coalition for Animal Welfare (GCAW), the world’s first industry-led collaboration aimed at advancing animal welfare standards throughout the global food supply chain, is marking its second anniversary with the addition of five new members.
Tesco plc (LON: TSCO, “Tesco”) Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN “Tyson” ), Maple Leaf Foods, Inc. (TSX: MFI), The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated (NASDAQ: CAKE) and Hilton Food Group plc (LON: HFG) join GCAW with a shared commitment to work pre-competitively to address systemic barriers to improving animal welfare and drive progress on key welfare issues.
GCAW is a targeted, action-oriented, multi-stakeholder platform for the advancement of farm animal welfare globally. The new members join GCAW’s seven founding companies: Aramark, Compass Group, Elior Group, IKEA Food Services, Nestlé, Sodexo and Unilever, who are themselves among the largest names in global food production and food service. The newly expanded coalition of twelve leading food companies is responsible for approximately $390 billion in combined revenues[1].
Nicky Amos, Managing Director of Chronos Sustainability and Executive Director of GCAW, said: “Commercial animal production systems are complex and variable. It is therefore vital that food companies come together to address systemic barriers to improving the welfare of the 70 billion animals farmed for food every year.”
She added: “With GCAW members now representing more of the world’s largest companies in food retail, food production and manufacturing, and food service, GCAW can galvanise know-how and welfare expertise to develop an industry-led approach to transforming the welfare of the most farmed species, including laying hens, broiler chickens and pigs.”
Dr Birte Nielsen, Independent Chair of GCAW said: “As GCAW enters the next stage of its development, knowing that world-leading food businesses have the commitment, confidence and courage to come together to collaborate on animal welfare is exciting and encouraging in equal measure. It is testament to the reality and urgency of farm animal welfare in global supply chains. All credit to the founding principles of GCAW and its member organisations. On behalf of GCAW, its founding members and secretariat, I extend the warmest of welcomes to the newest members.”
[1] Approx $388.2 billion (USD) in combined revenues for financial year 2019. Source: GCAW member company annual reports.
