Tyson Foods, Inc., Announces Office of Animal Well-Being - US - Tyson Foods, Inc. today announced the formalization of an Office of Animal Well-Being at its Springdale headquarters, under the leadership of well-known veterinarian and animal welfare expert Dr. Kellye Pfalzgraf.

The office is responsible for overseeing animal treatment and handling at all of the company's chicken, beef and pork facilities. The Office of Animal Well-Being will ensure corporate compliance with the National Chicken Council's Animal Welfare Guidelines and the Recommended Animal Handling Guidelines formulated by the American Meat Institute.

"We have always taken our stewardship role very seriously, and the creation of our expanded Office of Animal Well-Being is the latest example of our continuing effort to ensure the proper handling of the animals with which we work," said John Tyson, Chairman and CEO of Tyson Foods, Inc. "We are committed to working with the best minds in the field to continue to enhance the design and implementation of processes that are humane. I have enormous respect for Dr. Pfalzgraf, and look forward to working with him to meet our responsibilities in this important area."

The attached "Mission Statement on Animal Well-Being," signed by John Tyson, reflects the company's overarching commitment to the proper handling of animals.

The Office of Animal Well-Being was initially formed by IBP, inc. in 2000 to oversee that company's "Handle with Care" efforts with regard to its beef and pork production. With the creation of the new company-wide Office of Animal Well-Being, Dr. Pfalzgraf's responsibilities have been expanded to include all of the company's poultry operations in addition to beef and pork facilities.

The Office of Animal Well-Being's responsibilities include in-plant animal welfare training, ongoing monitoring of processes, and internal verification auditing of all facilities to ensure compliance with industry guidelines. Additionally, the office is responsible for coordinating the inspections of Tyson facilities by outside auditing teams as required by Tyson customers. Tyson Foods also regularly works with its transportation and live production partners to further promote and provide for appropriate animal handling.

The Office of Animal Well-Being is based in the Tyson Foods, Inc. corporate headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas. Dr. Pfalzgraf, a doctor of veterinary medicine who has been trained by internationally-recognized animal welfare experts, has 23 years of experience in food animal veterinary practice and previously served as a Veterinary Medical Officer for USDA-FSIS in a pork slaughter facility. Dr. Pfalzgraf serves as the chair of the American Meat Institute Animal Welfare Committee and is a member of numerous advisory committees on animal welfare and handling.

Tyson Foods, Inc. Mission Statement on Animal Well-Being

"Tyson Foods is committed to the well-being, proper handling, and humane slaughter of all the animals that are used in our food products. This is a long-standing commitment, and we pledge our diligence in leading the industry pursuit of new and improved technology and methods to further enhance animal well-being. This is not only the right thing to do, but is an important moral and ethical obligation we owe to our suppliers, to our customers, to ourselves, and most of all to the animals we depend on for our products and our livelihood. All Tyson Team Members, as well as our poultry growers and beef and pork suppliers, are expected to respect and serve as stewards of the animals we work with every day, treating them in a proper manner at all times."

John Tyson
Chairman and CEO
Tyson Foods, Inc.


Tyson Foods, Inc., founded in 1935 with headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas, is the world's largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef and pork and the second largest food company in the Fortune 500. Tyson Foods produces a wide variety of brand name protein-based and prepared food products marketed in the United States and more than 80 countries around the world.

Tyson Foods is the recognized market leader in the retail and foodservice markets it serves. The Company has approximately 120,000 team members and 300 facilities and offices in 27 states and 22 countries.

Source: PR Newswire - 25th November 2003