NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.,
July 1, 2019 /PRNewswire/
-- Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) announced that it was
the only U.S. company honored at the Compassion in World Farming's
Good Farm Animal Welfare Awards. The event celebrated the global
momentum that market-leading food companies are generating with
higher welfare policies and practices. This year a total of 50
awards recognized policies that would benefit the lives of over 39
million animals each year.
Chipotle was awarded a Good Sow Commendation in Pig Welfare for
its commitment to ensuring that sows are free from confinement
during both gestation and farrowing. This means gestation crates
are never used for pregnant pigs, and farrowing crates are never
used for mother pigs. This action is significant since these crates
are so small that pigs cannot even turn around, causing them to
exhibit abnormal behavior.
"While numerous U.S. producers and companies have acknowledged
gestation crates as a serious welfare concern, most have yet to
move away from gestation crates entirely, let alone begin to
address the use of farrowing crates," commented Katya Simkhovich, Food Business Manager at
Compassion in World Farming USA. "Chipotle Mexican Grill sets itself
apart from other companies in setting the standard for a
comprehensive and progressive policy avoiding all systems of close
confinement throughout a sow's life. By ensuring that sows are
never confined in gestation or farrowing crates, and are raised
outdoors or in deeply bedded open barns, Chipotle demonstrates a
serious and genuine commitment to animal welfare. We look forward
to working together to drive more meaningful progress for farm
animals in the future."
As demand for improved treatment of pigs, chickens, and other
farmed animals continues to grow, companies like Chipotle are
putting themselves at the forefront of the movement to meet that
demand and build a better food system.
"Chipotle is honored to have received the Good Sow Commendation
from Compassion in World Farming. We are dedicated to serving food
with integrity and ensuring our real ingredients are responsibly
sourced," said Yael Cypers, Animal
Welfare Manger at Chipotle. "We have been serving humanely raised
meat in our restaurants for more than 20 years, and are dedicated
to maintaining high animal welfare standards. We look forward to
continuing to work with Compassion in World Farming and our supply
partners to drive further progress in our collective efforts to
Cultivate a Better World."
Across the U.K., Europe,
China, and the U.S. there were 11
Good Egg Awards, two Good Chicken Awards, three Good Turkey Awards,
three Good Calf Awards, two Good Dairy Commendations, two Good Sow
Commendations and three Good Rabbit Commendations, in addition to
17 producer awards in China.
The awards ceremony also included one Rabbit Innovation
Award, one Cage-Free award, three Retailer Awards, and two
Sustainable Food and Farming Awards.
"While change is being driven by a myriad of stakeholders
concerned about the welfare of farm animals and the need to look
after our planet, it is the food industry that makes this change a
reality," Dr. Tracey Jones,
Compassion in World Farming's Director of Food Business, reflects
on the success of the awards. "Addressing the major welfare issues
in pig production is challenging at the best of times. It's
particularly encouraging therefore to be able to award Chipotle on
their commitment for free farrowing and higher welfare pig
production. We hope that by sharing experiences, more producers
will gain the confidence needed to invest and trial new systems.
Our awards are a great way to recognize and congratulate those that
are doing their part to better the lives of farm animals. We hope
that others will follow in Chipotle's footsteps to help drive
change, for the sake of the millions of pigs reared for food each
year."
ABOUT CHIPOTLE
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:
CMG) is cultivating a better world by serving responsibly sourced,
classically-cooked, real food with wholesome ingredients without
artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. Chipotle had
approximately 2,500 restaurants as of March 31,
2019, in the United States, Canada, the United
Kingdom, France and Germany and is the only
restaurant company of its size that owns and operates all its
restaurants. With more than 70,000 employees passionate about
providing a great guest experience, Chipotle is a longtime leader
and innovator in the food industry. Chipotle is committed to making
its food more accessible to everyone while continuing to be a brand
with a demonstrated purpose as it leads the way in digital,
technology and sustainable business practices. Steve Ells,
founder and Executive Chairman, first opened Chipotle with a single
restaurant in Denver, Colorado in 1993. For more
information or to place an order online,
visit WWW.CHIPOTLE.COM.
ABOUT CIWF
Compassion in World Farming is the leading
international farmed animal protection organization. Founded in
1967 by a British dairy farmer who became concerned about the
development of industrial farming, today we campaign peacefully on
a global level to end cruel intensive farming practices. Our aim is
to end factory farming, and replace it with a food system that is
compassionate to animals, fair to farmers and farm workers, and
sustainable for the planet.
Compassion engages with the world's leading food companies to
create and adopt meaningful animal welfare policies, while tracking
the progress of those commitments to ensure they are met on or
ahead of schedule. We inspire progress through prestigious awards,
educate increasingly concerned consumers on where their food comes
from, and support legislation to further protect farmed animals.
Visit www.ciwf.com to learn more.
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SOURCE Chipotle Mexican Grill