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Grandin, Woods issue Smithfield assessment
Dr. Temple Grandin and fellow livestock handling specialist Jennifer Woods have issued an animal welfare assessment report on Smithfield Foods hog production facilities in the Waverly, Virginia area.
The Smithfield facilities were the subject of an HSUS undercover video released last week. The video purported to show animal abuse taking place in the Smithfield hog barns.
Grandin and Woods say their greatest concern was the timely and appropriate application of euthanasia and the confirmation of death before disposal of the animals. They say Smithfield needs to update policies and procedures in that area and improve training of employees to, in their words, “ensure that all animals are treated humanely and with the upmost respect at the end of their lives.”
The report notes that Smithfield’s barns and hogs were found to be in good condition, with only minor infractions. It also said that Smithfield responded rapidly and appropriately to the actions of employees who violated the company’s animal welfare policies. Smithfield has fired three employees who were involved in the incident.
Meanwhile, Smithfield has issued a statement critical of the HSUS agent who shot the undercover video. Smithfield says the HSUS agent disregarded the welfare of animals in his care “by participating in the ineffective attempt to euthanize a sow and allowing a live animal to be placed in a disposal box.” It accused the HSUS agent of “perpetuating abusive behavior by failing to immediately report it.”
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