Back in 2012, Royal Caribbean commited to eliminate the use of gestation crates, which are used to breed pigs, from its pork supply chain and today we have a timetable for when to expect this to happen.
Royal Caribbean has set a date of 2022 as the target date by which to reach that goal.
By the end of the year, Royal Caribbean will request an update from its current pork suppliers regarding the plans and progress of their respective pork producers in meeting the pork industry goal of moving away from gestation crates in their operations by 2022, in order to determine which producers share Royal Caribbean's objective of moving to a gestation crate free pork supply. Royal Caribbean supports the continual movement of the industry in this direction and remains committed to keeping the treatment of animals in consideration when supplying its fleet with food.
Michael Jones, vice president of supply chain management for Royal Caribbean Cruises, commented on the update, "Royal Caribbean takes corporate responsibility seriously, including when it comes to the welfare of animals in the food system. Since 2012, we have been pleased to see dozens of top restaurant chains, grocery chains, food service operators, and other food industry leaders adopt similar stances. We support the recent announcements by Smithfield Foods and Tyson Foods - two of the nation's top pork processors -- regarding their shifts toward better housing methods for pigs."
