October 6, 2006

Tyson invests in research on food animal well-being

Top US chicken processor Tyson Foods has committed US$1.5 million into university research and classes on the humane management and treatment of food animals, the company announced Thursday (Oct 5).

The company itself has concluded a preliminary study into an alternate method of preparing chickens for slaughter and would be asking the University of Arkansas to conduct similar research.

Tyson has spent the past two years examining and testing the use of Controlled Atmosphere Stunning (CAS) which involves the use of a gas mixture to render chickens unconscious before slaughter.

However, the company found that CAS may not be more humane than conventional electrical stunning, said Bill Lovette, senior group vice president of Poultry and Prepared Foods explaining why the company has stuck to the traditional methods.

Still, the company believes there's merit in the continued study of CAS and other technology.

In this regard, the company has asked the University of Arkansas to initiate their own CAS study, using their own scientists and methods, to see if they reach the same conclusion.

Tyson said the university is more suited to conduct the research and convert the results into a form that can be independently evaluated, Lovette said. The research would also seek to expand scientific understanding of animal behaviour and physiology in modern farming systems.

Tyson was the first US poultry company to establish an Office of Animal Well-Being.

Chairman John Tyson had said the company is committed to the well-being, proper handling and humane slaughter of all the animals used in the company's food products and has made it a long-standing commitment.