Corporate animal welfare procurement standards, slowly but gradually

Animal welfare progress by companies in Japan is far behind that of the rest of the world. This is apparent both in the Ethical Report Card of Companies that ARCJ participates in the rating of and in the ranking conducted by an evaluator for overseas investors. However, efforts for animal welfare are steadily progressing in Japan as well. Of course, what are driving this trend are the voices of consumers and citizens, and citizens’ groups like us who negotiate with companies with those voices on our back, and recently, consumer groups are participating in this movement as well.

Let’s take a look at the situations of companies, though it is only a part of how animal welfare improvements are mentioned in public information like websites.

Ajinomoto Co., Inc.	Ajinomoto has since 2020 held meetings of experts (roundtables) to consider animal welfare, has revised the group policy on animal welfare, has noted the five freedoms of animal welfare, and clarified that it will work on improving animal welfare. The current challenge is that specific goal setting has not been announced.
Prima Meat Packers Co., Ltd.	Prima Meat Packers considers the delay in responding to animal welfare (compared to the rest of the world) an issue, and has positioned animal welfare as an important issue in 2020. It has made clear that gestation crates will not be used in new or remodeled farms in the future, and that mobile farrowing crates have begun to be introduced. While the details not being public is an issue, it says that it is formulating its own standards for breeding environments and breeding methods. The current challenge is that the target year has not been set for sow-stall free.
Nippon Ham Co., Ltd.	Nippon Ham positioned animal welfare as a priority issue in 2021 and set specific goals that same year. These goals included the transition to sow-stall free in 2030 and the deployment of drinking facilities in all slaughterhouses by 2023. Subsequently, it formulated and published an animal welfare policy that stipulates the five freedoms of animal welfare, and animal welfare guidelines that become the standards for farms. Furthermore, it has set a goal of increasing sales of plant-based protein to 10 billion yen by 2030, and have begun to move forward with well-balanced animal welfare initiatives. The next challenge is to demonstrate specifically how they will improve the animal welfare of broiler chickens.
Nissin Foods Holdings Co., Ltd.	NISSIN FOODS HOLDINGS has specified animal welfare for livestock products as part of its sustainable procurement policy. It has stated that, in addition to the five freedoms, they specifically confirm that chickens are not neglected for a long time at slaughterhouses. It also states that it “is marketing vegetarian products that do not use animal materials and are promoting the use of plant-based meat alternatives”. The current issue is that the specific goal setting has not been announced.
Nisshin Seifun Group Co., Ltd.	In the ethics items in the supplier guidelines entitled “Request to suppliers” formulated in 2019, Nisshin Seifun Group has specified for animal welfare: “in consideration of animal welfare, making an effort to adopt sound handling methods for animals”. The current issue is that the specific goal setting has not been announced.
Itoham Yonekyu Holdings Co., Ltd.	At Itoham Yonekyu Holdings, animal welfare is specified as a priority issue. The current issue is that specific efforts and specific goal setting have not been announced.
Nichirei Corporation	Nichirei clearly states that it gives some consideration to animal welfare in raising chicken. However, specific figures like breeding density are not disclosed, and the authenticity of this information is unknown. We urge them to develop company efforts, like positioning animal welfare as a priority issue for the company.
Kewpie Co., Ltd.	Kewpie has announced the concept of animal welfare including the five freedoms as the “policy and activities for procurement of chicken eggs”, and cage-free efforts are also specified. The current issue is that the specific goal setting has not been announced.
Megmilk Snow Brand Co., Ltd.	Megmilk Snow Brand has published its views on animal welfare, including supporting the producers. However, there is no specific content, and the authenticity of the efforts and information is unknown. The next challenge is to develop the efforts as a company, like positioning animal welfare as a priority issue for the company.
Fuji Oil Co., Ltd.	Fuji Oil has listed animal welfare as a matter of great interest in the 2021 ESG Materiality Map. However, no specific efforts have been announced. The current issue is that the specific goal setting has not been announced.
Yakult Group Co., Ltd.	The Yakult Group mentions animal welfare for livestock animals in its supplier CSR guidelines. However, there is no specific content, and the authenticity of the efforts and information is unknown. The next challenge is to develop the efforts as a company, like positioning animal welfare as a priority issue for the company.
Meiji Holdings Co., Ltd.	Meiji Holdings has formulated an animal welfare policy for dairy farms. The next challenges are to develop the efforts as a company, like positioning animal welfare as a priority issue for companies, and as a major processed food company to formulate a procurement policy for animal welfare not only for dairy farms.