SPRINGDALE, ARK. — Tyson Foods Inc., announced the completion of its FarmCheck Animal Welfare Program and certification of company-wide poultry audits from the Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization (PAACO). Tyson is the first company to receive PAACO audit certification for poultry across its entire supply chain.

Tyson received certified PAACO FarmCheck audits for breeders and turkeys, as well as broiler chicken certification by PAACO in 2019 for a total of three certified poultry audits.

The FarmCheck program ensures suppliers of livestock and poultry to Tyson are evaluated and monitored for important animal welfare criteria including housing and environment, proper human-animal interaction, transportation and harvest processes through a third-party audit. 

“We are extremely pleased to announce that Tyson Foods has certified three of their audits through the rigorous process that PAACO offers,” said Collette Kaster, executive director of PAACO. “The company’s vision to go above and beyond in the area of animal welfare is impressive and the leadership of their team is evident in programs like FarmCheck.”

“The certification of all our FarmCheck poultry audits is an important part of our approach to welfare and becoming the first company to receive audit certification across the poultry supply chain demonstrates our efforts to continuously improve welfare for the animals entrusted to our care,” said Karen Christensen, DVM, senior director of animal welfare, Tyson Foods. “We appreciate the rigorous review of our audits that is required for PAACO certification. It shows to our customers and consumers that welfare is a top priority for Tyson Foods.”

The foundation of Tyson’s animal welfare culture is training and feedback mechanisms that encourage team members to report unacceptable treatment of animals. Tyson trains all team members that come in contact with live animals and, for those positions that require live animal handling, the company provides extensive animal welfare training in advance of interacting with live animals.  

“We embrace our moral and ethical responsibility to treat animals in our care humanely,” said Ken Opengart, DVM, Tyson’s vice president of animal welfare and international sustainability. “Our team members, as well as the independent poultry, cattle and hog farmers who supply us, are expected to serve as stewards of the animals they work with every day. Today’s announcement is our next step in providing industry leadership and ensuring proper animal husbandry and care to the animals entrusted to us.”