Viva!
USA
PO Box
49023
Atlanta
GA30359
Tel: 404 315
8881
Fax: 404 315
8685
email:
info@vivausa.org
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May 9, 2001
For more information contact: lauren Ornelas
404/315-8881
Trader Joe’s Ditches
Ugly Duck Meat Industry
Launched with Paul McCartney, Viva! Campaign Takes
Flight
Viva! has received word that Trader Joe’s stores will no
longer be placing orders for duck meat. Viva! campaigners
around the country have been working to get Trader Joe’s to
dump duck meat since September.
According to letters sent to customers, Trader Joe’s will
“no longer be placing any more orders for duck meat.” They
state that there is still duck in their inventory, “but when
it is gone it will not be replaced.”
“We are excited about Trader Joe’s decision to no longer
carry duck meat,” said lauren Ornelas, U.S. Campaigns
Director, Viva! “It is good to know that when presented with
the facts, Trader Joe’s has chosen to make an ethical
decision.”
Trader Joe’s was selling duck meat from companies such as
Maple Leaf Farms and Grimaud Farms of California. Last year,
another grocery store chain - Earth Fare - dumped Grimaud
Farms. Duck meat by Grimaud Farms is still sold by Whole
Foods.
Viva! investigated both Grimaud and Maple Leaf Farms and
found that the ducks are forced to live in crowded
conditions, indoors, without enough water to immerse their
heads. Most farms offer ducks water only in the form of
nipple drinkers (a pipe with holes where water drops out).
Without an adequate amount of water, these aquatic birds
find it difficult to keep warm and may also develop eye
problems that can result in blindness. Both companies
practice de-billing as a means to prevent feather-pulling -
a behavior caused by the stressful environment. In the US,
thousands of ducks are boiled alive in the
slaughterhouse!
Viva! launched its campaign against duck meat in September
of this year with the help of Paul McCartney and actress
Hayley Mills after investigating Maple Leaf Farms and
Grimaud Farms of California.
Full report, media briefing, photos, and video footage of
duck units may be requested from Viva! or found
on our website.
See
also our update on Trader Joe's
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