MIAMI — PETA said it will use its position as a Burger King stockholder to address the Miami-based the company's shareholders, board members and executives regarding the company's need to adopt controlled-atmosphere killing (CAK) — the least cruel form of poultry slaughter available — at its first annual meeting of shareholders on Nov. 29.
Under PETA pressure, Burger King agreed to implement several animal welfare reforms, including conducting audits of its suppliers for animal welfare violations and instructing them to give laying hens more cage space. PETA also heralded Burger King as a fast-food pioneer when it introduced the BK Veggie in 2002. Burger King continues to be an industry leader where animal welfare is concerned, but it has made little movement toward CAK.
As part of its campaign to move the industry toward CAK, PETA owns shares of 24 other companies, including McDonald's, Wendy's, Tampa-based Outback Steakhouse, Denny's, Applebee's, Tyson Foods, Wal-Mart and Kroger.
