PETA Replies to Jack Greenberg

Facsimile

To: Jack Greenberg, CEO
From: Steve Gross, for PETA
Date: August 30, 1999
Re: Commitment

11 pages via fax: 630-623-7409

Thank you for taking the time to get back to me. Your letter indicates to me that you are not entirely aware of the actual events leading up to my August 12 facsimile.

Although one McDonald's representative has very begrudgingly listened to our issues, we have not heard word one regarding tangible steps McDonald's has taken on behalf of animal welfare. We have in fact been told repeatedly that McDonald's refuses to so much as consider taking steps for chickens at any point in their lives, for any animals on farms, and for any animals during transportation-all issues where McDonald's was found to be "culpably responsible for cruelty to animals."

The simple suggestions we've made to improve life for cows and pigs in slaughterhouses (hire a second stunner, make audits unannounced, come up with sanctions for slaughterhouses that fail Dr. Grandin's announced audits-as one-third did twice, slow down the line speed, and the list goes on) have all been denied. Really Jack, talk is cheap, and although you've taken steps to sound better on animal welfare, I challenge you to show me one tangible thing you've accomplished to improve life for even one animal used by McDonald's.

Particularly remarkable is the statement your public relations department made to the press, that if Dr. Grandin sees something wrong, you'll correct it. Nonsense! For example, Dr. Grandin has told you that hiring a second stunner or slowing down line speeds would assist in increasing stunning percentages, and that unannounced audits would be required to get an accurate feel for slaughterhouse practices (I could go on). You have ignored her completely, despite our prodding.

McDonald's lack of commitment to animal welfare is represented by the fact that Bob Langert and Jack Daley have not fulfilled one simple commitment they've made to me. For example, although I've been requesting 15 minutes of your time for more than a year, and was told repeatedly that it might be possible, I certainly have never gotten to the point of "agenda and timing." And although I have asked Bob who his supervisor is, I have never even heard of Tom Albrecht. Mr. Albrecht has expressed no interest in the fact that Bob Langert has not followed through on his commitments to PETA, some of which are spelled out in the series of memos received by Mr. Langert (copies follow).

In closing, please understand that I am not being paid to negotiate for PETA. I am offering my services to them, because I consider the issue of animal welfare to be extremely important. Based on your comments at the shareholder meeting in May, I thought you might actually do something for animals. I have been gravely disappointed, as our talks were simply a waste of my time.

Should you wish to actually address issues of animal welfare, rather than to offer public relations soundbites, I would be very pleased to meet with you.