Agricultural News
Smithfield Being Proactive in Dealing With HSUS Video Attack
Tue, 21 Dec 2010 17:55:59 CST
Smithfield Foods Inc. fired three employees last late week for violating the company's animal welfare policies, according to statements posted on a special website set up by the company that is their response to the Humane Society of the US. Click here for that special website established by Smithfield Foods.
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. We also have the audio here for you to listen to- just click on the LISTEN BAR below.
Dr. Grandin requested that her statement be used in its entireity- and here it is from the Smithfield website:
"Captive bolt shooting of the sows was not effective because she was showing obvious signs of rhythmic breathing after she was thrown in the dumpster. Animals with rhythemic breathing may still be sensible. The employees behaved in a professional manner but they did not know that an animal showing any sign of return to sensibility must never be put in a dumpster. Failure of the captive bolt to render the sow insensible may have been due to either damp cartidges or lack of maintenance. Training of employees needs to be improved."
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