Tyson Foods is one of the world's largest processors and marketers of chicken, beef and pork.
Fox BusinessNews investigated the video and allegations made by the Animal Legal Defense Fund, and reported as follows:
In an email to FOXBusiness.com, Tyson Foods says they’re still reviewing the video but want consumers to know that they are committed to proper animal handling and workplace safety.
“Everyone who works with live animals in our plants – including the person who secretly shot this video – is trained in proper animal handling and instructed to report anything they believe is inappropriate. They can report to their supervisor, the Tyson Foods compliance and ethics hotline and even one of the USDA inspectors who have access to all parts of the plant, including live animal handling areas. During the timeframe we believe this video was shot, we have no record of any employees reporting claims of animal handling violations,” the company said via email to FOXBusiness.com.
Tyson says in addition to training, they regularly conduct internal animal handling audits and they’re also subjected to third party audits as well.
“The USDA has authority over production rates. We operate our plants – including the one in Carthage, Texas – well within the limits set by the USDA. The safety of our Team Members is very important to us,” the company adds.
In an e-mail to FOXBusiness.com, the USDA gave the following statement.
"We are looking into the allegations of humane handling abuse at the Texas facility. FSIS (Food Safety and Inspection Service) is dedicated to ensuring that all animals presented for slaughter at FSIS-inspected facilities are treated humanely."Mother Jones and Food Safety News provide additional information on these allegations.
Tyson is usually seen as a leader in the US chicken industry by the USDA, consumers, and Tyson's peers.
The equipment, chemicals, methods, and training used by Tyson are likely the same or similar to the ones currently used in Canadian slaughter plants, or the Canadian plants would like to upgrade their "inferior and antequated" chicken slaughter plants so they are more like Tyson and its leading competitors.
Until undercover documentation of Canadian chicken slaughter plants occurs, we really don't know for sure what is occurring. Alternatively, we can wait for Canada's chicken slaughter plants to be fully open, transparent, co-operative, and responsible to consumers. That may take a while under the top secret Supply Management system of Canada.
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