Kelly Myers
Tyson is making progress in its supply chain, but more still needs to be done.
In a sustainability report published on May 27, 2020, Tyson Foods—the largest poultry company in the US—announced plans to end cruel live-shackle slaughter methods at four of its US processing plants.
This move is the result of the ongoing efforts of several organizations—including The Humane League—demanding that Tyson and its clients adopt the Better Chicken Commitment.
More than 180 major food companies have already adopted the Better Chicken Commitment, a set of standards that meaningfully improve the lives of chickens raised for meat. This includes ending live-shackle slaughter. However, major meat companies like Tyson Foods have historically made little progress on these issues. Tyson Foods’ recent report represents a significant step toward addressing key animal welfare problems in its supply chain.
Progress for chicken welfare
The Humane League’s I’m Not Lovin It campaign helped move McDonald’s, one of Tyson Foods largest buyers, to adopt improved standards for chickens raised for its menu items. As a result of negotiations with The Humane League and campaign pressure, McDonald’s committed to ending live-shackle slaughter in its supply chain by 2024, a move that undoubtedly motivated Tyson Foods to follow suit.
Tyson’s commitment means that hundreds of millions of chickens will no longer be cruelly hung upside down, stunned in an electrified water bath, or dragged across a throat-slitting blade while still fully conscious. The process of live-shackle slaughter is terrifying, excruciating, and extremely stressful for the birds. In many cases, chickens who are improperly stunned miss the throat-cutting blades and are dropped into tanks of scalding water while still able to feel pain. The live-shackle process is also extremely hazardous and stressful for workers.
Tyson Foods still has a long way to go
While we recognize that Tyson Foods has made an important step toward improving the welfare of the chickens in its supply chain, we believe there is still enormous progress to be made. Tyson Foods has not gone far enough and continues to refuse to commit to meeting the science-based standards laid out in the Better Chicken Commitment. Most importantly, Tyson Foods must stop selectively breeding chickens to grow so grotesquely large, so quickly, that they can hardly walk. The Humane League will continue to campaign against Tyson Foods and call on the company to end these horrific abuses.
Additionally, we recognize that Tyson Foods’ refusal to adequately protect its workforce has led to more than 4,500 workers falling ill with COVID-19 and at least 18 dying as a result. This egregious abuse must end, and we stand in solidarity with the workers and advocates demanding that Tyson provide safer working conditions to protect the wellbeing of workers.
Take Action
For too long, animals and workers have suffered at the hands of Tyson Foods for the sake of profit. Incremental progress is essential, but we must continue to work toward a more sustainable and humane food system for all. Please sign our petition to demand Tyson Foods provide safer conditions for workers, adopt animal welfare measures like the Better Chicken Commitment, and make meaningful progress toward transitioning away from factory farming altogether by expanding its plant-based product lines.
