Roundy’s Calls On Suppliers to End Cow Mutilations

After Talks With PETA, Grocery Chain Gives Strong Consideration to Suppliers That Breed Naturally Hornless Cows

For Immediate Release:
October 27, 2015

Contact:
Sophia Charchuk 202-483-7382

After hearing from PETA that calves and cows on dairy farms suffer when their horn tissue is burned or their horns are gouged out of their heads—a common industry practice—area-retailer Roundy’s amended its animal-welfare policy in support of polled, or naturally hornless, cattle. This move is the first step toward eliminating dehorning in the company’s supply chain. Roundy’s operates more than 160 grocery stores in Wisconsin and Illinois.

In its newly updated animal-welfare policy, Roundy’s writes, “[W]e believe polled genetics is a viable future option, eliminating the need for dehorning. We ask that strong consideration be given to promoting the ‘polled’ option as a sustainable alternative to dehorning throughout your dairy supply chain.”

“Although PETA encourages anyone who’s eager to reduce the suffering of cows to choose nondairy foods, we also work to reduce suffering wherever possible,” says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. “Roundy’s willingness to take on the issue of dehorning in its supply chain will spare many young cows immense pain.”

Other food companies that have recently addressed dehorning include General Mills, Denny’s, Dannon, Aramark, Starbucks, Nestlé, and Dunkin’ Brands (which owns Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins). Since PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—began working behind the scenes with companies on this issue three years ago, the number of polled Holstein bulls in the U.S. has increased tenfold.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.