Government Regulation
All animals under Cargill’s care are given care that meets or exceeds government regulations. These regulations were created to ensure livestock and poultry are handled humanely at federally inspected establishments. Producers, transporters and company employees are obligated by law to abide by these regulations.
Beef and dairy cattle
In the U.S., our processing plants comply with USDA regulations, which include the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act, the Humane Slaughter of Livestock Act and the Food Safety and Inspection Service Directive on the Humane Handling and Slaughter of Livestock.
In Canada, our processing plants comply to the Canada’s Health of Animal Regulations and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s requirements outlined in the Meat Hygiene Manual of Procedures, Chapter 12 Food Animal Humane Handling Slaughter—Animal Welfare Requirements.
Each of our North American processing plants have government employed veterinarians and inspection staff, and they, along with our PAACO-certified auditors and trained employees, oversee the on-site health, quality and handling of the animals we process. Government personnel audit our processes, documentation and training records to ensure compliance.
Links to these regulations
- US: USDA-FSIS Directive 6900.2
- US: § 1901 and § 1902 Humane Methods of Slaughter Act
- US: 9 CFR § 313 series: Humane Slaughter of Livestock
- Canada Health of Animal Regulations (HAR)
- Canada Meat Hygiene Manual of Procedures (MOP) Chapter 12 Food Animal Humane Handling Slaughter—Animal Welfare Requirements
Turkey
Although the U.S. doesn’t have turkey welfare regulations, we abide by best practices developed by industry and academic experts as a base line for our welfare programs.
Broilers
- We, and our suppliers, raise broiler chickens in many parts of the world. Some countries, such as Canada and those which comprise the United Kingdom (UK), have specific farm animal welfare regulations. We handle and care for our birds, at level that often exceed regulatory requirements where regulations do exist and, in regions where they do not, our birds are cared for with the same level of responsibility and industry best practices.
- In the European Union (EU), we comply with regulations governing animal processing and its regulations on the protection of animals during transport.
- In Canada, our suppliers follow the Canadian Code of Practice and our supply chain follows the Canadian transport regulations.
Eggs
All of our contracted, conventionally raised egg supply originates from farms that are United Egg Producers (UEP) certified. This is confirmed by an annual, independent, third-party audit.
All of the cage-free eggs we purchase are certified by either American Humane Association (American Humane certified), Humane Farm Animal Care (Certified Humane) or United Egg Producers.