Source:  Lisa M. Keefe, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 12/21/10

Smithfield Foods Inc. fired three employees last late week for violating the company’s animal welfare policies, according to statements posted on smithfieldfoodstoday.com.

The website was established to update events related to an undercover investigation by the Humane Society of the United States, the results of which were released last week; an ongoing audit of the company’s animal welfare policies; and actions taken as a result of the probe.

Two employees were fired on Dec. 16, and a third --- their supervisor --- was fired on Friday. No further information has been made available about the employees or the violations.

The site also has posted a statement by Temple Grandin on her interpretation of the video, released by HSUS, and an audio statement from Dennis Treacy, Smithfield Foods’ senior vice president of sustainability.

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