McDonald’s shareholders reject HSUS proposal

Brownfield Ag August 16, 2010 by Ken Anderson

Shareholders for McDonald’s have voted against a proposal to buy at least five percent of the restaurant chain’s eggs from cage-free facilities.

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), which owns 101 shares in the company, had sponsored the resolution. HSUS argued that cages are inhumane and pointed out that McDonald’s own European operations are transitioning toward purchases of cage-free eggs.

McDonald’s board of directors recommended that shareholders vote against the proposal, saying that the science was not there to support a switch. McDonald’s is part of a coalition involved in an ongoing study of hen housing.

Some major fast food companies, including Burger King, Subway and Wendy’s—and giant retailer Wal-Mart—have already made some level of commitment to purchasing or selling cage-free eggs.