What Crap !!!

Thank you for your message.  We at Tyson Foods are committed to proper animal handling in all aspects of our operations and are conducting our own investigation into the claims by PETA.  We're also fully cooperating with USDA's investigation into this matter.

Some of the videotaped activities we've seen on-line do warrant investigation; however, others are being misrepresented and sensationalized by PETA.

Our investigation into this matter is being led by Tyson's Office of Animal Well-Being, which is responsible for performing random animal handling audits at the company's meat production plants, developing and implementing training programs for Tyson Team Members and advising company executives on all animal welfare areas.

Animal welfare audits are conducted by the company on a weekly, monthly and annual basis at all of our slaughter facilities, including our Cumming and Union City plants.  These operations have also been subject to audits by third parties, including some of our customers.  In addition, well-known animal welfare expert Dr. Temple Grandin has been to both facilities in recent years to conduct training.  These audits and training sessions have not previously turned up any animal well-being issues at the two plants.

We train our workers on proper animal handling practices.  In fact, workers who do not follow company policy in this area are subject to disciplinary action, including termination of employment.  If the investigations into this matter determine some of our Team Members have acted inappropriately, they will be disciplined or discharged.

Animal well-being is part of Tyson's Core Values, which call on the company's Team Members to serve as stewards of the animals, land and environment entrusted to us.  Tyson also has a Mission Statement on Animal Well-Being, which outlines our commitment to proper animal handling and humane slaughter. The following is a copy of this statement:


===Tyson Foods, Inc., Mission Statement on Animal Well-Being===

Tyson Foods is committed to the well-being, proper handling and humane slaughter of all the animals that are used in our food products.  This is a long-standing commitment, and we pledge our diligence in leading the industry pursuit of new and improved technology and methods to further enhance animal well-being.  This is not only the right thing to do, but is an important moral and ethical obligation we owe our suppliers, to our customers, to ourselves and most of all to the animals we depend on for our products and our livelihood.  All Tyson Team Members, as well as our poultry growers and beef and pork suppliers, are expected to respect and serve as stewards of the animals we work with every day, treating them in a proper manner at all times.

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