Despite tremendous progress by the governments and the private sector towards ending the confinement of egg-laying hens, pregnant sows, and other farm animals in restrictive cages and crates, major international financial institutions continue to support large agribusiness facilities in emerging markets that employ these and other cruel housing systems.
Many of these financial institutions, including major development banks, are supported by countries that have themselves banned the continual confinement of animals in cages and crates, including Member States of the European Union.
Humane Society International is working with financial institutions around the world to adopt strong and binding animal welfare standards, thereby ending financing for cruel farm animal housing systems globally.
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- HSI first brought the issue of public investment in cruel farm animal housing systems to the public’s attention with this 2013 report, Investments in Suffering.
- This 2016 report, International Finance Institutions, Export Credit Agencies and Farm Animal Welfare, (abriged version here) highlights progress made, while also showing ongoing failures by international financial institutions in implementing basic animal welfare standards.