Pressure mounts against Wal-Mart over pig abuse

Pressure is mounting on Wal-Mart to stop using pork suppliers that keep pigs in what animal rights activists say are inhumane conditions.

The group "Mercy for Animals" took undercover video showing pregnant pigs, some with open wounds, crammed into crates known as gestation cages. The video, purportedly taken at a Minnesota farm, shows horrific abuse, including piglets being slammed head first into the pavement.

Television icon Bob Barker is using his star power to spotlight the conditions. Gestation crates are banned in California and several grocery chains require suppliers to stop using them. Pleasanton-based Safeway adopted the policy this week.

In a statement, Wal-Mart says it offers gestation crate-free pork products at several stores and "will continue on-going discussions with our suppliers, non-governmental organizations, and food safety experts to find ways to increase that number."

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