SPRINGDALE, Ark. — Tyson Foods, the nation’s largest producer of meat, says it will begin using video cameras to monitor animal welfare.
The company says it has implemented the U.S. meat industry’s most extensive third-party remote video auditing (RVA) system.
Footage from cameras in Tyson Foods’ chicken plants is analyzed by trained off-site auditors and data feedback is provided daily, weekly and monthly to plant management to deliver excellence in animal welfare practices, according to a company press release.
Tyson has partnered with Arrowsight, a provider of remote video auditing technology and data analytics services, which is said to already have extensive animal welfare monitoring experience.
“Animal welfare is part science, part compassion and it requires management commitment to learning, training and constant monitoring,” says Dr. Temple Grandin, professor of animal science at Colorado State University and a member of Tyson Foods’ Animal Well-Being Advisory Panel.
Tyson says it is also is launching a RVA pilot project to assess on-farm catching of birds for transport to processing facilities.
Video is reviewed and analyzed by Arrowsight for adherence to humane treatment of animals, allowing immediate follow-up if any concerns are identified.
Tyson came under fire last year after several videos came out showing workers violently abusing chickens.
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