MIAMI - Burger King pledged earlier this week to work with suppliers of cage-free eggs and gestation crate-free pork by 2017, Supermarket News reports, a decision applauded by animal rights organizations.

"With this announcement explicitly disapproving the extreme confinement of farm animals, Burger King has set a new standard for animal care in the food retail sector," wrote Wayne Pacelle, president and chief executive officer of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), on the association??s blog.

Jonathan Fitzpatrick, chief brand operations officer for Burger King, said the decision was part of the company??s social responsibility policy. He said the company has actually been increasing the use of cage-free eggs and gestation create-free pork as supply was able to meet demand.

HSUS has targeted shareholder votes and executive-level meetings at Burger King, McDonald??s, Wendy??s, and other QSRs, urging them to be more selective of suppliers.