We do not invest in live export companies or companies that raise animals for live export. We also restrict⁺ investments in companies that facilitate the trade (for example, specialist transport companies). In addition to not allocating capital to the industry, we also:

• Made multiple submissions to the Federal government calling for an end to the trade. In preparing our submissions we consulted with Animals Australia and the RSPCA. 

• Sent one of our ethics analysts to help Animals Australia with their live export court challenge. 

• Engaged with some of the companies we invest in including banks, insurance companies and a port logistics provider, asking them to reassess their policies on providing services to the live export trade. We complemented the extensive work carried out by Animals Australia who was also engaging with senior management within the banks. Two companies stated they will not provide services to live exporters going forward, and one major bank tightened its lending policies to the live export industry. Following these commitments we saw anecdotal reports of major lenders refusing to do business with some customers directly involved in the live export sector. 

We are part of global initiatives (FAIRR and BBFAW) to increase the use of plant over animal based protein, and to raise animal welfare standards across the agriculture and food supply sectors.

We support engagements even for companies we do not invest in, because we aim to have a positive impact beyond our portfolio.

Through FAIRR, we supported letters to Chipotle, Domino’s, McDonald’s, Restaurant Brands International, Wendy’s and Yum! Brands calling on the companies to do more to address the environmental harms in their meat and dairy supply chains. We do not invest in these companies.

And we supported letters to 25 global food retailers and brand manufacturers – including Coles and Woolworths – calling on them to publicly disclose information about their intention and long-term approach to transitioning protein portfolios to more sustainable sources that support a dietary transition in line with a 1.5-degree world.

Over the life of the engagement program, which has spanned many years, over 90% of food retailers have expanded their alternative protein range or announced plans to.

Both Coles and Woolworths have been making good progress in terms of expanding their alternative protein range, committing to addressing scope 3 emissions, and (to differing degrees) acknowledging their role in helping consumers transition toward more sustainable diets. Our engagements with Australia’s two largest food retailers are ongoing.

Further reading

Our Foundation supports Food Frontier through the strategic grant funding

We have engaged with around 20 healthcare companies that are involved, directly or indirectly, in animal research.

We recognise that animal research is currently a necessary part of developing important medicines and medical devices. Given sentient animals subjected to animal research can suffer extreme distress and pain, we expect companies that are involved in animal research (directly or indirectly) to take seriously their obligation to avoid and reduce animal suffering wherever possible, including by demonstrating genuine commitment to the 3R principles:

• replacement of animals

• reduction in the number of animals used

• refinement of conditions and methodology to reduce suffering)

While most of the companies we engage with can point to substantive individual efforts they have made to apply the 3Rs, we think healthcare companies need to start working collaboratively to address systemic barriers to the uptake of alternatives. We are exploring with companies how we can facilitate an industry-level initiative to genuinely advance the 3Rs.