Actor Ryan Gosling is urging Costco to make changes to its egg supply chain after the Humane Society of the United States conducted an undercover investigation into the confinement of chickens.
The investigation found some abhorrent conditions for the birds.
Here’s the letter:
June 22, 2015
Craig Jelinek, CEO
Costco Wholesale CorporationDear Mr. Jelinek,
I am writing today about the recent undercover investigation conducted by my friends at The Humane Society of the United States at a Costco egg supplier. Video footage revealed abhorrent cruelty including rows upon rows of birds confined in filth-laden cages with the mummified corpses of their cage-mates—eating, sleeping, defecating, and laying eggs on top of dead birds—and hens’ wings, legs, and necks trapped in the corroded wires of their battery cages.
Furthermore, it is appalling that Costco has been selling these eggs with deceptive labeling on cartons featuring graphics of birds living out in a green pasture. You’re already eliminating cages for veal calves and pigs – don’t you feel that chickens also deserve the same mercy?
So many corporations are meeting public demand for more humane products and transparency in the food chain.
I sincerely hope that Costco will set plans now to go completely cage-free for its eggs.
Sincerely,
Ryan Gosling
Costco has not yet responded. Here’s the video of the Humane Society investigation.
