Source: Tom Johnston, MEATINGPLACE, 11/20/13


Tyson Foods announced it has terminated immediately its contract with an Oklahoma farm whose employees were caught on videotape abusing pigs.

The video was captured secretly and published today by Mercy for Animals at West Coast Farms in Okfuskee County, Okla. It shows employees kicking, throwing, hitting and slamming pigs on the ground. Footage even shows an employee throwing a bowling ball at a pig.

Tyson spokesman Gary Mickelson said in a statement the company is severing ties with West Coast Farms and taking possession of the animals remaining on the farm.

“We’re extremely disappointed by the mistreatment shown in the video and will not tolerate this kind of animal mishandling,” he said.

The National Pork Producers Council said it condemned the abuses, which “violate the high standards of the U.S. pork industry.” The group called on Oklahoma authorities to investigate and to bring criminal charges against workers who abused animals.  

Animal rights activist group Mercy For Animals also is calling for criminal charges against the workers involved in the alleged abuse, and using the video in a campaign to have Tyson customer Walmart adopt new animal handling guidelines that do away with sow gestation stalls.

Smithfield Foods and Cargill Inc. are among major pork producers that are working on phasing out the use of gestation stalls.

Tyson has not announced similar plans.
“We’re serious about proper animal handling and expect the farmers who supply us to treat animals with care and to be trained and certified in responsible animal care practices," Mickelson said.  "It’s consistent with our core values to ‘serve as stewards of the animals…entrusted to us.’"

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