Revised audit and guidelines strengthen humane handling and safety
The Meat Institute published updated versions of its Animal Welfare Audit and Meat Industry Recommended Animal Handling Guidelines. These updates reinforce the industry’s commitment to humane animal care, worker safety, and continuous improvement across meat processing operations.
Humane animal handling remains a core responsibility of meat packers and processors. “Humane animal handling is a core responsibility of meat packers and a foundational element of a safe and ethical food system,” said Julie Anna Potts, President and CEO of the Meat Institute. “These updated Guidelines and Audit reflect the latest science and best practices, giving companies the tools they need to protect animal welfare, support their workforce, and deliver wholesome food to consumers around the world.”
The revised Guidelines and Audit were developed by the Meat Institute’s Animal Welfare Committee in collaboration with Colorado State University Professor of Animal Behavior Temple Grandin. The Animal Welfare Audit continues to be certified by the Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization, ensuring strong credibility and consistency.
The updates include a new point-based scoring system that allows facilities to set measurable improvement goals. The Audit now covers transportation and slaughter practices for bison, and cattle vocalization scoring has been updated to align more closely with swine standards for consistency across species.
Participation in the Animal Welfare Audit also supports the Meat Institute’s Protein PACT goal. By 2030, all member companies that handle live animals aim to pass third-party animal transport and slaughter audits.
To help explain these changes, the Meat Institute will host a public webinar on February 19 at 12 p.m. ET. To Register, Click on the link. The updates will also be featured at the Animal Care and Handling Conference on May 12–13 in Kansas City, Missouri. These efforts continue to be a legacy that began in 1997, when the Audit first helped improve animal handling practices across the meat industry.
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