A Meat Packer’s Perspective on Cattle Welfare
Animal husbandry audits integral component of packing.
Animal husbandry is an integral component of all animal agriculture systems, and it is an expectation of all. So said Lily Edwards-Callaway during the 4th International Symposium on Beef Cattle Welfare, hosted July 16-18 in Ames, Iowa.
“The debate over animal welfare stems from the fact that everyone has a different expectation,” added Edwards-Callaway, who oversees animal welfare programs for JBS, the world’s largest beef-packing company. She called the meatpacking industry’s perspective unique, because packers are in the middle — between the people who raise meat animals and the people who purchase the meat. Packers, she added, also have the ability to make a positive impact on animal welfare.
Edwards-Callaway said animal handling at slaughter facilities is subject to federal regulations addressing human handling, transportation, facility conditions and stunning of animals. Additionally, animal behaviorist and Colorado State University professor Temple Grandin helped the American Meat Institute develop animal-handling guidelines that have become standard for the industry.
“Many packing companies undergo multiple third-party audits annually, as well as conducting internal audits to monitor humane handling within plants,” said Edwards-Callaway, describing the packing industry’s efforts to “professionalize” livestock handling. “The use of technologies such as remote video monitoring has also been adopted by many companies as a way to strengthen auditing, but also for employee training.”
According to Edwards-Callaway, audits have helped packers improve handling methods to reduce animal slips and falls in unloading and holding areas and especially in crowding pens. Other areas where audits have led to improvement include minimizing stock prod use and improving stunning efficiency. In short, audits are benefiting animal welfare.
“In general, slaughter plants are operating at excellent levels,” said Edwards-Callaway. “Technologies are providing opportunities for continued improvement.”
Editor’s Note: Troy Smith is a freelancer and cattleman from Sargent, Neb. The Angus Journal provides comprehensive coverage of the 4th International Symposium on Beef Cattle Welfare in its October issue.