The Vampire Diaries star Paul Wesley has written a letter urging pork industry giant Seaboard Corporation to end its use of controversial and inhumane gestation crates.
These cages are used to confine breeding pigs. They are so small the animals cannot even turn around. Seaboard is one of the largest pork producers in the United States and raises more than 4.3 million pigs each year.
“Until relatively recently, I was oblivious to factory farming conditions innocent animals endure on a daily basis,” wrote Paul. "More specifically, I discovered that Seaboard insists on locking mother pigs in tiny gestation crates, with apparently no plans to move away from that particularly inhumane practice.
“I can’t seem to comprehend how we, as inherently good people, still take part in some of the cruel methods of the past. I urge you take steps toward eliminating outdated gestation crates, both for the pigs at your mercy and millions of people across the globe who believe the way we treat animals reflects our own humanity.”
Wesley’s letter comes after McDonald’s, Costco, Oscar Mayer and more than 60 other major food companies announced their shift away from gestation crate operations. Seaboard competitors such as Smithfield Foods, Tyson Foods and Cargill responded with similar plans to move away from gestation crates.
Many family farmers nationwide do not use gestation crates and according to the National Pork Board, a majority of pork producers are in the process of switching to crate-free housing methods due to the pressure from other companies.
Wesley joins a long list of celebrities including Ryan Gosling, Kristen Bell and Martha Stewart who have joined The Humane Society of the United States and taken a stand against gestation crates.
