Animal Welfare
Our responsibility to animal care and handling
For over 160 years, Cargill has been guided by the philosophy that doing the right thing is beneficial to all, helping our customers and communities thrive as we nourish the world in a safe, responsible, and sustainable way. The proper care and handling of animals is critically important as the global population and demand for nutritious, affordable, and high-quality protein increases.
Cargill is an industry leader in animal welfare. In addition to being ethical and accountable, we care for animals in a manner that embraces proven animal science, husbandry, and standards.
We continue to pioneer strategies and tools which improve animal welfare, and we leverage innovation to ensure our progress. We work with a variety of stakeholders, including farmers and ranchers, customers, NGOs, academics, scientists, and veterinarians to ensure that we employ best practices. We do not tolerate abusive behavior directed at animals by employees, suppliers, transporters, or others in our supply chains. You can read the Cargill Animal Welfare Policy here.
For species-specific humane handling practices, industry guidelines, and regulations, visit this page.
The five domains
We strive for continuous improvement in our animal welfare efforts, with our philosophy based on meeting or exceeding the Five Domains model, as created by Professor David Mellor and colleagues. The Five Domains is an advanced conceptual animal welfare framework that includes the promotion of positive mental states through nutrition, physical environment, health, and behavioral opportunities. This provides a comprehensive platform that incorporates functional and behavioral components which, considered as a whole, provide an assessment of an animal’s overall mental state – also known as the welfare of the animal.
Mental State
Alignment to and prioritization of each of the previous four domains enables overall wellness for animals within our care. Cargill does not tolerate the mistreatment of animals.
Nutrition
The animals under our care are provided with nutritionally balanced diets at all stages of life. They are always given free access to fresh, clean water.
Physical Environment
Rearing conditions are carefully monitored, controlled, and managed to provide animal comfort, which allows them to thrive. All employees responsible for handling animals are trained on humane and low-stress handling.
Health
The animals under our care are provided with veterinary oversight to prevent and treat any pain, injury, or disease. Keeping animals healthy is a top priority.
Behavioral Interactions
Continuous improvement and research in environmental rearing conditions and our overall responsibility to good welfare practices, such as working toward allowing animals the freedom to express their natural range of behaviors.
As the basis for the Five Domains, Cargill also acknowledges the importance of the Five Freedoms welfare framework. We continue to honor these priorities in our animal welfare approach even as we pursue the Five Domains, which allow us to identify new opportunities and positive animal behaviors, leading to an increased understanding of animal needs and ideal welfare outcomes.