The Accountability Board, Inc. has submitted a shareholder proposal to Walmart Inc., urging the company to set measurable targets for the elimination of pig gestation crates in its pork supply chain. The proposal, submitted on April 29, 2024, highlights the risks associated with the use of these crates, which confine animals so tightly they cannot turn around for months. The proposal points out that other major retailers, such as Kroger, Costco, Target, and Amazon, have made strides toward alternative housing methods, with Albertsons recently announcing plans to increase sourcing of group-housed fresh pork. Despite Walmart's 2015 request for suppliers to find solutions to gestation crates, the company has yet to set measurable targets or disclose progress, which has led to criticism...Show More

The Accountability Board, Inc. has submitted a shareholder proposal to Walmart Inc., urging the company to set measurable targets for the elimination of pig gestation crates in its pork supply chain. The proposal, submitted on April 29, 2024, highlights the risks associated with the use of these crates, which confine animals so tightly they cannot turn around for months. The proposal points out that other major retailers, such as Kroger, Costco, Target, and Amazon, have made strides toward alternative housing methods, with Albertsons recently announcing plans to increase sourcing of group-housed fresh pork. Despite Walmart's 2015 request for suppliers to find solutions to gestation crates, the company has yet to set measurable targets or disclose progress, which has led to criticism from shareholders and animal welfare advocates. The Accountability Board argues that Walmart's lack of action poses material risks to shareholder value, citing examples of other companies that have acknowledged such risks in their SEC filings. Walmart's opposition to the proposal is based on its ongoing reviews and assessments, but The Accountability Board contends that this approach lacks transparency and measurable progress, contrasting with the actions of Walmart's competitors and industry standards.