Silliker,
Inc. Animal Welfare Audit Helps Companies
Verify Good Handling Practices
Homewood, IL -
December 15, 2002 - Silliker, Inc., a leading industry auditor, has added
animal welfare evaluations for beef, pork, and poultry slaughter operations to
its services. The audit was developed in collaboration with Dr. Temple Grandin,
Ph.D., of Colorado State University’s animal science department and one of the
world’s foremost authorities on animal welfare.
Throughout
the 1990s, in response to sweeping concerns over the ethical treatment of
slaughter animals, many food service chains developed and administered audit
programs requiring suppliers to meet strict housing, handling, transporting, and
termination guidelines.
Several
prominent Fortune 500 companies were at the forefront of this quality assurance
movement, and today many of these organizations -- joined by an expanding list
of food service chains -- are contracting the administration of their audits to
recognized third party auditors.
With
Dr. Grandin’s assistance, Silliker auditors underwent extensive training in
slaughter operations and a standardized audit, encompassing guidelines from
leading retailers and associations, including the American Meat Institute
Foundation (AMIF), was developed for use in slaughter operations. The Silliker
animal welfare audit can generally be completed in eight hours and provides an
independent and unbiased assessment of:
Essential
Tool
Stating that “it’s the right thing to
do,” Dr. Grandin, who has designed nearly one-third of all U.S. livestock
facilities, says slaughterers should consider good handling practices, as
outlined in animal welfare audits, as an essential part of their operations.
"Good
handling not only reduces bruising significantly, but it is also a safety and
quality issue," she says, explaining that highly agitated cattle can
seriously injure workers in pens and chutes.
Research
studies have shown the tenderness and flavor of cooked meats can be diminished
if animals, especially pigs, experience high stress levels prior to slaughter.
Industry
Demands
“Increasing industry demands for animal
welfare audits, coupled with the outsourcing of these programs by many food
service companies - a number of which we have worked with - propelled us into
this arena,” says Gary M. Smith, Director of Audit Services for Silliker, Inc.
Slaughter
operations that are incorporating animal welfare audits into their quality
systems may be experiencing growing pains, but they should not lose sight of the
benefits to be gained from staying the course, according to Smith.
“Animal
welfare audits allow slaughter operations to demonstrate their commitment to
good handling practices and meeting their customer’s requirements,” he
imparts, adding that a proven track record of excellence can also open new
business opportunities for slaughterers.
For more information contact:
John Williams, SILLIKER Inc., 708/ 957 7878
Click here
for the Silliker Animal Welfare Audit Web Page
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