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TYSON FOODS FORMS OFFICE OF ANIMAL WELL-BEING
Nov. 25, 2003
Tyson Foods Inc. has announced the formalization of an Office of Animal Well-Being at its Springdale, Ark., headquarters, under the leadership of well-known veterinarian and animal welfare expert Dr. Kellye Pfalzgraf.
The office is responsible for overseeing animal treatment and handling at all of the company's chicken, beef and pork facilities. The Office of Animal Well-Being will ensure corporate compliance with the National Chicken Council's Animal Welfare Guidelines and the Recommended Animal Handling Guidelines formulated by the American Meat Institute.
"We have always taken our stewardship role very seriously, and the creation of our expanded Office of Animal Well-Being is the latest example of our continuing effort to ensure the proper handling of the animals with which we work," said John Tyson, Chairman and CEO of Tyson Foods Inc.
The Office of Animal Well-Being was initially formed by IBP Inc. in 2000 to oversee that company's "Handle with Care" efforts with regard to its beef and pork production. With the creation of the new company-wide Office of Animal Well-Being, Dr. Pfalzgraf's responsibilities have been expanded to include all of the company's poultry operations in addition to beef and pork facilities.
The Office of Animal Well-Being's responsibilities include in-plant animal welfare training, ongoing monitoring of processes, and internal verification auditing of all facilities to ensure compliance with industry guidelines. Additionally, the office is responsible for coordinating the inspections of Tyson facilities by outside auditing teams as required by Tyson customers.
Dr. Pfalzgraf, a doctor of veterinary medicine who has been trained by internationally recognized animal welfare experts, has 23 years of experience in food animal veterinary practice and previously served as a veterinary medical officer for USDA-FSIS in a pork slaughter facility. Dr. Pfalzgraf serves as the chair of the American Meat Institute Animal Welfare Committee and is a member of numerous advisory committees on animal welfare and handling.
Source: Company Release
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