Image representative of typical battery cage farm
What is the problem?
Target is neglecting concerns of animal cruelty. The company is falling behind the food industry by continuing to sell eggs from caged hens. Despite stakeholder concerns, Target continues to support controversial battery cage farms where chickens are confined in cages so small that they can barely move with no plan to phase them out. This practice is so unsafe and inhumane that it is illegal in many U.S. states and the entire European Union.
When confronted with these concerns, Target director David Abney has remained silent.
Who is David Abney?
David is a career executive with decades of experience. He is currently on the boards of Freeport-McMoRan Inc. and Northrop Grumman Corporation. He previously served as Chairman, CEO & Executive Chairman of United Parcel Service (UPS), where he worked for over 40 years in various leadership roles. David has also served on the boards of Macy's, Inc., Johnson Controls International plc, and Allied Waste Industries, Inc. Most importantly, in 2021, he joined the Board of Directors at Target.
Now he’s facing scrutiny for ignoring concerns of animal cruelty.
Can customers trust Target to do the right thing?
Target has historically enjoyed a positive reputation for its commitments to sustainability, social responsibility, and transparency. Now, the company has a concerning track record of weakening or backtracking on animal welfare policies. The company is even falling behind U.S. fast food chains such as McDonald’s and Taco Bell that have eliminated battery cage eggs from their menus. Retail giant Costco is nearly 100 percent cage-free and even dollar stores are installing signs on their egg shelves to educate customers and help shift the market toward cage-free eggs.