WASHINGTON – Wayne Pacelle, CEO of The Humane Society of the United States, has ended his bid to gain a seat on Tyson Foods’ board of directors, according to news reports. Pacelle announced in October his intention to run for a slot on the Tyson board with help from New York billionaire Carl Icahn.

Pacelle said his goal in seeking a board seat was to push the company to transition away from using gestation stalls. More than 30 retailers and food companies have announced they would require their pork suppliers to phase out gestation stalls. The company’s position has been to support its suppliers’ right to choose livestock housing systems.