Activists target poultry producers via banks

In a bold shift in strategy, animal rights organizations are increasingly leveraging financial institutions to pressure poultry producers into adopting more humane and sustainable practices.

David Corredor

In a bold shift in strategy, animal rights organizations and activists are increasingly leveraging financial institutions to pressure poultry producers into adopting more humane and sustainable practices. This emerging tactic, described by critics as “weaponizing banks,” aims to reshape the future of animal agriculture by influencing the flow of capital.

Humane World for Animals, a prominent advocacy group, recently announced its collaboration with major financial institutions to promote plant-based alternatives and stricter animal welfare standards. According to CEO Kitty Block, “Financial institutions are pivotal actors in shaping food systems. Their investment decisions determine which models thrive and which fade away. It’s imperative that animal welfare becomes a core consideration in financing strategies”.

The group’s efforts include engaging with entities like the International Finance Corporation (IFC), which has already outlined specific animal production practices it no longer supports—such as conventional layer housing. IFC’s investment criteria now emphasize animal husbandry systems that incorporate welfare-focused management and technologies.

While some institutions have begun reevaluating their portfolios, others—such as Citigroup, Bank of America, and HSBC—have yet to make public commitments. As of March 2023, private banks had invested over \$323 billion in animal production assets globally.