Animal Rights

The well-being and fate of billions of animals are controlled by industry. Every year, Americans consume approximately nine billion animals, most of which are treated like inanimate objects as they are raised, transported and slaughtered. Millions are used for pharmaceutical and cosmetic product testing, some of which is not required by law. The use of fur in clothes has long been the target of animal rights campaigners. Circuses, rodeos and marine parks that hold animals in captivity for entertainment purposes face the constant criticism that their use of animals is inherently cruel.

How We Screen on Animal Rights

Trillium Asset Management Corporation (“Trillium”) seeks to avoid investing in companies that are involved in cruel and unnecessary abuse of animals. We monitor corporate practices and policies related to farmed animals’ living conditions, humane slaughterhouse practices, animal testing, the sale of fur, and the sponsorship or use of animals in entertainment noted for their cruelty to animals (such as bullfights or rodeos).

We seek out companies that promote alternatives to animal abuse, such as food processing companies and restaurants that market vegetarian products, and meat and dairy companies that avoid growth hormones and antibiotics. With respect to animal testing, we look for companies that: 1) promote the ethical use of animals in-house and with their subcontractors, 2) actively look to implement all available non-animal test methods that are accepted by regulators, and, 3) engage with regulators, provide expertise or financial support to organizations that are researching alternative testing methods.

Trillium works with its clients to screen portfolios in some or all of these areas, based on the client’s preferences. Alternatively, we can apply a “best of sector ” approach that screens out only those companies that lag behind their competitors in the implementation of best practices.

What We’re Doing

In 1993, became the first social investment firm to file a shareholder resolution on the issue of farm animal welfare. Working with Animal Rights International, we helped persuade McDonald ’s to adopt for the first time a policy regarding the humane treatment of farm animals.

Subsequently, we have worked with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), to push McDonald’s to apply these standards globally.

In 2006, responding to documented evidence of animal abuse at pharmaceutical companies’ animal research subcontractors, we participated in a campaign urging drug companies to extend their animal welfare policies to all subcontracted laboratories. We filed a resolution urging Eli Lilly to take steps to improve its animal welfare standards and extend its policies to all subcontracted animal research facilities. In the same year, we successfully lobbied Amgen to post its animal welfare standards on its website.