Harris Teeter supermarkets have announced plans to require specific animal-handling standards from suppliers of animal-derived food products. Harris Teeter has about 200 stores in seven states. The company's new plan outlines specifications for meat, poultry and egg suppliers. Harris Teeter will give purchasing preference to suppliers that are phasing out gestation-sow crates, and it will increase the amount of poultry that it purchases from suppliers using controlled-atmosphere killing and controlled-atmosphere stunning. Harris Teeter announced the new plan following a People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals news release that stated the group was planning to appeal to shareholders at the company's annual meeting.

- from Drovers Alert