Today, Walmart U.S. and Sam's Club U.S. announced updated food positions regarding animal welfare and the responsible use of antibiotics in farm animals. To see images below, view this message as a web page<http://cl.exct.net/?qs=672e040c165adc5b3df073700d96a17dc64a1313c7fdcf7b9b974dc7fe3de3565ac8059cdddc776f>. [Walmart]<http://cl.exct.net/?qs=672e040c165adc5b2a2834164bf06bb2e12e11146b2b3f9a4c7f65f42307017502ec5c37bef1c116> Kathleen McLaughlin | Senior Vice President of Sustainability Dear Arlene, Today, Walmart U.S. and Sam's Club U.S. announced updated two key food positions on the humane treatment of farm animals and the responsible use of antibiotics in farm animals. Today's announcement is a significant step forward in our commitment to a sustainable food system, and particularly for our food and grocery division-our largest product category. Farm animals play an important role in providing nutritious meat, dairy and eggs to our customers and members, and we have taken notice of the growing public interest in sourcing practices. Our customers have told us that they want to know more about where their food comes from, and we want to honor that by helping provide more information about ingredients and production. Like most of our sustainability initiatives, this one very much involves our suppliers and other partners. We're working with our entire supply chain, including suppliers, government agencies, academics, NGOs, animal health companies and veterinary experts, to continuously improve how the food we sell to our customers is grown and raised. Highlights of our positions include: Humane Treatment of Farm Animals:<http://cl.exct.net/?qs=672e040c165adc5bab10a89da1b114f50e30935721ed9e51c4cedd523676fe7aadb4b2af04a2f42a> Walmart is committed to offering affordable products in a way that is sustainable for people and the planet. Walmart believes that animals should be treated humanely throughout their lives. As part of its animal welfare position statement, Walmart will not tolerate animal abuse, supports the globally recognized "Five Freedoms"<http://cl.exct.net/?qs=672e040c165adc5b49db9fef36e148b63fb92b9e331dac909af18a6db986a2e67a20503a347fd643> of animal welfare, and is committed to working with supply chain partners to implement practices consistent with the Five Freedoms. Walmart is asking suppliers to: * Report and take disciplinary and corrective action in cases of animal abuse. * Find and implement solutions to address animal welfare concerns in housing systems, painful procedures and euthanasia or slaughter. * Promote transparency by providing progress reports to Walmart and publicly reporting against their own corporate animal welfare position on annual basis. Responsible Use of Antibiotics in Farm Animals:<http://cl.exct.net/?qs=672e040c165adc5bab10a89da1b114f50e30935721ed9e51c4cedd523676fe7aadb4b2af04a2f42a> Walmart believes that antibiotics should be used responsibly in farm animals, and with that in mind, the company is asking suppliers to: * Adopt and implement the Judicious Use Principles of Antimicrobial Use from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) including accurate record-keeping, veterinary oversight, and limiting antimicrobial treatment to animals that are ill or at risk. * Adopt and implement Voluntary Guidance for Industry #209 from the Food and Drug Administration in their own operations and their industry producer programs, including eliminating growth promotion uses of medically important antibiotics * Promote transparency by providing a report on antibiotics management to Walmart and publicly report antibiotic use on an annual basis. Thank you for supporting Walmart as we continuously strive for a more sustainable business and supply chain. We invite you to let us know how we can continue to improve our operations in the U.S. and around the world. Sincerely, Kathleen McLaughlin Senior Vice President of Sustainability