Source: Tom Johnston, MEATINGPLACE, 9/17/13


Butterball LLC announced today the launch of its new animal welfare program as it aims to raise “a higher standard for the industry,” according to documents provided to Meatingplace.

The Garner, N.C.-based company’s Animal Care and Well-Being Program comprises  four parts: an advisory panel, employee training, American Humane Association (AHA) certification and ongoing on-farm improvements and operational updates.

The advisory panel includes Temple Grandin, professor of animal science, Colorado State University; Joy Mench, professor of animal science, University of California-Davis; Yvonne Thaxton, Center for Animal Well-Being, University of Arkansas; Jesse Grimes, poultry science extension specialist, North Carolina State University; and Michael Martin, professor of poultry health management, North Carolina State University. Serving a two-year term, the panelists will review Butterball’s practices and make new recommendations.
The company’s training program has been enhanced so that 100 percent of employees — including tenured workers — in contact with live turkeys are trained before their first day on the farm. They will receive additional training every year and enhanced training as each job requires.

Butterball said it’s seeking more accountability by applying for certification under the American Humane Certified program, which will involve third-party inspections to certify the company’s practices meet or exceed the science-based standards established by the AHA. The organization this year began two-year audit of Butterball facilities to examine growing conditions, care and handling practices. Beginning this year, the company’s whole turkeys can carry AHA’s certification label. Butterball, meanwhile has applied for certification on additional products, and AHA is reviewing the applications.

With the advice and direction of the advisory panel and AHA, Butterball is working to improve its operational processes. The company is pilot-testing video surveillance to ensure optimal care and handling; while video surveillance has been done in processing plants, this would be a pioneering step for live operations, CEO Rod Brenneman told Meatingplace in an interview. The company also is working on recurring internal and third-party audits.

Announcement of the new program comes as the fifth of five workers accused of animal cruelty at Butterball’s Hoke County (N.C.) plant pleaded guilty following the release of a Mercy for Animals video.
Brenneman, however, said the incident did not prompt the new animal welfare program.

“The fact is those things happen and obviously you step back and reflect, but one of the key pillars of our company has been and will continue to be that we’re a continuous improvement company. So really the changes are driven by our desire for continuous improvement in our animal care and well-being program and to make it one of the best in the industry,” he said.

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