National Turkey Federation Testifies on Capitol Hill 

Today, Ron Kardel, Vice Chairman of the National Turkey Federation, testified before the Senate Agriculture Committee on Capitol Hill. Kardel updated the Committee on the state of the turkey industry, including topics such as exports, disease prevention and response, immigration, and research concerns. Kardel began with thanking the Committee for the opportunity, informing those at the hearing that there were more than 244 million turkeys raised in the United States last year. Kardel added that the USDA projects 5.8 billion pounds of turkey production to take place this year. The turkey industry generates 441,000 jobs, and in order to support these jobs, Kardel explained that policies coming out of Washington must maintain America's ability to thrive. Kardel spoke on behalf of the turkey industry when he expressed the anticipation of working with Congress and the Committee to address these issues.

Kardel mentioned the importance of exports to the turkey industry, stating that expanded trade would lead to significant growth and reducing uncertainty is imperative. Therefore, Kardel strongly urged Congress to pass the USMCA this fall, as this should not be a partisan issue. Kardel mentioned that the turkey industry has a fantastic relationship with...

North American Meat Institute Releases Revised Edition of Animal Handling Guidelines and Audit Guide

The North American Meat Institute (Meat Institute) today released its latest science-based animal care guidelines and audit for the meat industry. The guidelines and audit were authored by Colorado State University Professor of Animal Behavior Temple Grandin, Ph.D., working with the Meat Institute’s Animal Welfare Committee.

“The meat and poultry industry is always looking for ways to improve humane animal handling for both the welfare of the animal and the safety of our workforce,” said Meat Institute President and CEO Julie Anna Potts. “The new Animal Handling Guidelines and Audit are the product of member company participation with the guidance of the Meat Institute’s veterinarian Dr. Tiffany Lee and...

Taco Bell Releases Statement Regarding Reduction in Antibiotics Used for Beef 

Taco Bell recognizes consumers’ growing food supply concerns, including animal welfare and antibiotic resistance. Building upon its commitment to making its beef more sustainable from January 2019, Taco Bell has committed to reduce antibiotics important to human health in its U.S. and Canada beef supply chain by 25% by 2025. This new policy around its dominant menu protein, beef, will better protect human, animal and environmental health.

As part of this new policy, Taco Bell will also give preference to suppliers that are making measured reductions in their use of antibiotics important to human health, as defined by the World Health Organization, as well as suppliers that increase veterinary oversight when it is required to medically treat sick animals. Preference will also be given to...

More Footage and Now Lawsuits Stemming from FairLife and Fair Oaks Farms Situation

High-protein milk brand Fairlife has received two class action lawsuits alleging deceitful marketing practices following the release of videos by the Animal Recovery Mission portraying animal abuse at Fair Oaks Farms in northwest Indiana, which has supplied some of its milk. In the wake of a video released by the Animal Recovery Mission proposing five individuals committed animal cruelty and abused calves, a second video was released by the Animal Recovery Mission showing alleged abuse of dairy cows.

The complaints accuse Fairlife's co-founders Mike and Sue McCloskey, also owners of Fair Oaks Farms, of engaging in fraud and violating consumer protection laws. The Newton County Sheriff's Office announced charges against three workers in the video that were identified by authorities. Edgar Gardozo-Vasquez has been arrested and is being held at the Newton County Jail. The other two men have not been located or arrested, and the investigation is ongoing. The recent video was shot by a member of the Animal Recovery Mission posing as an employee at Fair Oaks' rotary milking system. The sheriff’s office is currently reviewing the footage...

Fair Oaks Farms Founder Mike McCloskey Releases Statement Following ARM Undercover Video

The Animal Recovery Mission released a video on June 4 displayed alleged animal abuse and drug use by Fair Oaks Farms employees. 

Mike McCloskey, the founder of Fair Oaks Farms released a statement following the release of the video.

This morning I was made aware of an animal abuse video that the group Animal Recovery Mission (ARM) produced and has released to the public and the press. Most of the footage for this video was captured on one of the dairies that belongs to Fair Oaks Farms...

USDA’s FSIS Condemns The Washington Post for False Reporting on a Critical Public Health Issue

The Washington Post says that democracy dies in darkness. If that’s the case, then The Washington Post’s story about the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is a solar eclipse.

FSIS is made up of 9,000 civil servants with the noblest of missions – to protect the American food supply. The safety of every meat, poultry, and egg product in the United States is ensured by FSIS inspection personnel, each and every day.

It’s a responsibility and mission so important that every FSIS employee takes an Oath of Office. If only The Washington Post was held to the same standard ...

Tyson Foods First Major Company to Receive Poultry Handling and Transportation Certification

As part of its commitment to animal welfare, Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN) has implemented a third-party certification program to help ensure the proper handling and transportation of birds in its chicken business. The company is the first major chicken producer to implement Poultry Handling and Transportation (PHT) certification offered by the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY).

The PHT certification is in addition to the animal welfare training Tyson Foods already requires for frontline workers involved in handling and transporting live birds. PHT focuses on important areas such as ...

Perdue Advances its Industry Leading Animal Welfare Program

Perdue Farms has followed up its 2018 move to controlled atmosphere stunning (CAS) at its Milford, Del., plant with the country’s first system to further improve live bird handling, beginning at the farm. The milestone at the country’s largest organic poultry plant makes Perdue the only major poultry company to use CAS with a fully-integrated transportation system of higher-welfare modular containers and specially designed trailers. There are currently only eight other installations of these container systems in the world.

The second phase introduces covered trailers that feature a solid roof and breathable side curtains that better control environmental factors like temperature, humidity, oxygen levels and ventilation. The specially designed trailer also carries the higher-welfare transportation containers that provide easier all-around access and increased headroom for ...

U.S. Pork Industry Ends 2018 with Major Antibiotic Progress

New FDA report shows big drop in livestock antibiotic sales/distribution; pork industry joins diverse group to issue stewardship framework

America’s 60,000 pig farmers and their veterinarians are ending 2018 with recognition of their diligence to use medically important antibiotics in a strictly responsible way. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s newly published Annual Summary Report on Antimicrobials Sold or Distributed for Use in Food-Producing Animals cites 2017 data that shows a 33 percent decline in this most critical class of antibiotics intended for use in food animals. When added to the decline found in the 2016 data, it confirms a reduction of 43 percent in this class of antibiotics from the 2015 level.

“This report is another indicator of the hard work that my fellow pig farmers have been doing to reduce the need for antibiotics. We continue to work closely with our veterinarians to ensure that we use antibiotics responsibly and according to FDA-approved labels,” said National Pork Board President Steve Rommereim, a pig farmer from Alcester, South Dakota. “We’re committed to using antibiotics in a strategic way that focuses on animal health and well-being ...