tallNewsAndNotes Measuring How Livestock Is Cared For (NAPSA)—A growing number of consumers are counting on an important kind of audit to make a difference in the way the meat industry cares for livestock. In the 1990s, a leading animal welfare expert, Dr. Temple Grandin of Colorado State University, recommended measuring animal welfare routinely by using audit programs. The American Meat Institute Foundation endorsed her idea and today, more than 90 percent of meat plants voluntarily perform internal audits in addition to hiring outside companies to conduct them. Livestock welfare audits have been so successful that today, many restaurant chains and grocery stores require audits before they will buy meat from meat processors. When companies “measure” welfare, they look at some key factors, such as: Are animals “vocalizing” too much? Sometimes livestock vocalize because they want to “talk” to one another. But sometimes they vocalize because something is uncomfortable. By monitoring livestock vocalizations and determining what a normal level is, plants can quickly identify when somethingis abnormal. For example,if cattle become noisy in a pen, something as simple as a shadow maybe frightening them, and a simplefix like a new light can solve the problem. e Are animals able to walk comfortably? By measuring how often animals slip when they walk, companies can determine if floors need to be changed to be madeslip-proof. This helps prevent injuries dueto falls. “These are just two of the many important data points that we Experts say that when the meat industry treats animals in a humane manner,it’s good for the animals and business. measure routinely. Monitoring them can makea big difference in ensuring animal welfare,” according to Dr. Randy Huffman, vice president of the American Meat Institute Foundation. According to Dr. Huffman, the meat industry takes seriously its ethical obligation to handle livestock humanely. “But few people realize that livestock that are treated humanely result in betterquality meat.” Huffman also pointed out that federal U.S. Department of Agriculture veterinarians are in meat plants overseeing the handling of livestock and taking action if they see problems—including stopping lines and even closing plants. “Taken together, voluntary auditing efforts, federal inspection oversight and the quality benefits that we see in meat products when we handle livestock humanely mean that humane animal handling is good for animals—and good for business,” Huffman said. For more information, visit www.animalhandling.org.
