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sick_chicken.jpgShortly after I reported a dead bird to parks workers in Carl Schurz Park this morning, I read The Wall St. Journal (sub required) report that McDonald’s has already prepared an ad campaign to re-assure customers that its chicken is safe should there ever be an avian flue epidemic in the United States. I’m so glad I’m a vegetarian.
At a news conference after its annual meeting yesterday, CEO Jim Skinner didn’t give details of the campaign, but said it has print and TV ads ready to roll.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) also showed up at the annual meeting and asked the company asked the company to explain why it has not yet implemented humane slaughter requirements for chickens, according to the Chinese business newspaper, The Standard.
Chickens slaughtered in the United States are not protected by the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act. Current stunning methods often leave chickens alert while their throats are being slit and their feathers are scalded off.
McDonald’s CEO Jim Skinner thanked the PETA representative for acknowledging that McDonald’s is a leader in the industry on animal welfare issues and — as if this was a new issue — said the company was continuing to carefully study the issue.
Pass the cashews please.